The OpenClaw creator on the moment AI changed everything

Peter Steinberger, the mastermind behind OpenClaw, vividly recalls the moment he realized artificial intelligence was set to transform technology usage. In his words, "Chatbots give up. Agents improvise." This epiphany struck him in early 2025 during a visit to Marrakesh, Morocco. While exploring the city, he had developed a text-based AI bot designed to assist with navigation, restaurant recommendations, and translation. However, the bot exceeded its intended capabilities. When Steinberger sent a voice note, it processed the audio in a mere nine seconds. It quickly converted the voice message into text using an OpenAI-powered feature, analyzed the content, and provided a response. Reflecting on this experience during a TED Talk, he shared, "I had what I can only describe as a 'holy shit' moment." He was astonished at how the bot, initially dubbed Clawdbot, could adapt and function beyond its programming. Despite initially receiving a lukewarm response when he showcased the bot on social media, Steinberger made a bold decision to launch it in a public Discord channel, inviting users from around the world. What followed was a whirlwind of activity—users began experimenting with the bot, hackers attempted to exploit it, and journalists flooded his communications. Although he feared potential security breaches of his personal data, it turned out the bot became a viral phenomenon instead. The surge in its popularity caught the attention of industry leaders, including Nvidia's CEO, who referred to it as "the new computer". Steinberger humorously noted that the growth trajectory of OpenClaw resembles a 'stripper pole' rather than the conventional 'hockey stick' growth curve typically seen in startups. As a result of this unprecedented success, Steinberger joined OpenAI in February for an undisclosed amount, marking a significant milestone in his career and the broader tech landscape.