OpenClaw creator slams Europe's regulations as he moves to the US

Peter Steinberger, the mind behind the successful AI platform OpenClaw, has decided to leave Europe for the United States, citing the continent's stringent regulations as a major impediment to tech innovation. Recently hired by OpenAI, Steinberger, originally from Austria, previously split his time between London and Vienna. In a discussion on X, Steinberger responded to a European academic's query about the region's inability to retain tech talent. He expressed that the enthusiasm he encounters in the US starkly contrasts with the cautious approach prevalent in Europe, where he feels more pressure concerning responsibility and regulatory compliance. Steinberger highlighted the challenges of establishing a business in Europe, noting the burdensome labor laws that stifle flexibility. He contrasted this with the working environment at OpenAI, where employees often work six to seven days a week, a practice that would be considered illegal in many European countries. While Europe boasts ASML, a chip equipment manufacturer valued at around $550 billion, the region lags behind the US, which has over ten tech companies valued at more than $1 trillion. A recent EU report underscored this disparity, indicating that Europe has fallen behind in innovation and proposed several measures to address the issue. However, by the end of 2025, few of these recommendations are expected to be acted upon. Steinberger remains optimistic about EU INC, an initiative aimed at creating a unified corporate legal framework to simplify business operations across Europe. Yet, he expressed concerns about its effectiveness, suggesting it is losing momentum due to conflicting national interests that ultimately hinder progress.