In recent weeks, OpenClaw has become a focal point of interest in the AI community. Its creator, Peter Steinberger, is now set to join OpenAI, as announced by CEO Sam Altman. Steinberger will be involved in developing “the next generation of personal agents” for ChatGPT and other OpenAI products.
According to Altman, “He is a genius with numerous innovative ideas on the future of intelligent agents collaborating to accomplish meaningful tasks for users. We anticipate this will quickly become integral to our offerings.”
OpenClaw AI functions autonomously, managing tasks such as clearing your email inbox or checking in for flights without requiring your input. It integrates with your personal services, including email and computer files, to perform these actions. Additionally, it provides updates via third-party messaging platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp.
The product was initially known as Clawdbot, progressed to Moltbot, and ultimately became OpenClaw, characterized by its lobster-themed logo. Security experts have voiced concerns regarding the extent of OpenClaw’s access to user data and services.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Steinberger elaborated on his reasoning for joining OpenAI in a blog post, expressing, “I fully envision how OpenClaw could evolve into a large company. However, it doesn’t particularly excite me. My passion lies in building.”
OpenAI has not released specific details regarding Steinberger’s role or job title, coinciding with a trend of previous high-profile departures from the organization to rival companies.
Recommended by Our Editors
Altman confirmed that OpenClaw will remain an open-source project, stating that OpenAI will provide “support,” although specific details are still pending. He emphasized, “The future will be heavily multi-agent-based, and we find it essential to support open source as part of that mission.”
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, the parent company of PCMag, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, claiming it violated Ziff Davis copyrights during the training and operation of its AI systems.
Get Our Best Stories!
Your Daily Dose of Our Top Tech News
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been successfully confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
About Our Expert
Experience
I’ve been a journalist for over a decade, starting my career in tech reporting in 2013. I joined PCMag in 2025, where I cover the latest trends in technology, writing about everyday gadgets and services. Feel free to send any tips you think might interest PCMag.
