OpenClaw Founder Peter Steinberger Joins OpenAI to Advance AI Agent Development
Peter Steinberger, the visionary behind OpenClaw, has officially joined OpenAI, marking a significant collaboration between open-source innovation and a leading AI research organization. In his new role, Steinberger will focus on advancing AI agents to make them more accessible and secure for all users.
OpenClaw, known for its experimentation with agentic systems—intelligent agents capable of automating complex digital workflows—has rapidly gained attention in the open-source AI sector. Steinberger’s playful branding of the lobster taking over the world has drawn interest from developers, researchers, and investors eager to understand how an independent project could evolve into a global movement.
To ensure OpenClaw remains independent and community-driven, Steinberger announced that the project will transition into a foundation. This move aims to preserve its mission of giving users control over their data. OpenAI, which already sponsors the project, will support this transition while allowing Steinberger to pursue his broader vision for human–AI collaboration.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, expressed his enthusiasm on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Steinberger is a genius with innovative ideas about smart agents collaborating for user benefit. Altman highlighted that Steinberger will lead the development of next-generation personal agents, which are set to become core products. He also emphasized that OpenClaw will continue as an open-source project within a foundation backed by OpenAI, underscoring the importance of a multi-agent future and open-source development.
By joining OpenAI, Steinberger aims to leverage advanced research tools, access to cutting-edge models, and collaboration with global experts to scale the concept of personal AI agents. He emphasized that his focus is not on building another large company but on creating technology that is safe, useful, and accessible even to non-technical users.
This partnership represents a strategic alignment of shared goals, open collaboration, responsible innovation, and user empowerment. OpenAI’s resources and ecosystem can accelerate OpenClaw’s growth while preserving its principles. As Steinberger stated, OpenClaw’s future as a foundation will continue to serve thinkers, hackers, and people who want a way to own their data.
With this move, the boundaries between independent open-source projects and large AI research labs appear to be narrowing, signaling a new model of AI development where openness and innovation coexist.
