OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger joins OpenAI

Peter Steinberger, the mastermind behind the AI personal assistant known as OpenClaw, has officially joined the ranks of OpenAI. Originally launched as Clawdbot and later rebranded to Moltbot, OpenClaw has recently garnered significant attention for its capabilities, which include managing calendars, booking flights, and even engaging in social networks populated by other AI assistants. The evolution of the name was not without its challenges. Steinberger initially changed the name after receiving a legal threat from Anthropic due to its resemblance to the AI named Claude. He later opted for the current name as he felt it was a better fit. In a blog post detailing his transition to OpenAI, the Austrian developer expressed that while he had the potential to develop OpenClaw into a substantial business, he was more motivated by a desire to create impactful change in the world. "What I want is to change the world, not build a large company," Steinberger stated. He believes that collaborating with OpenAI represents the quickest path to achieving this vision. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, shared on social media that Steinberger will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of personal AI agents. Regarding OpenClaw’s future, Altman assured that it would continue to thrive as an open-source project, supported by OpenAI, allowing it to evolve within a foundation dedicated to its growth.