Peter Steinberger, the creator of the viral open-source AI agent OpenClaw, is joining OpenAI, with the project set to transition into a foundation-backed initiative, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced on Sunday.

Altman said Steinberger will help lead the development of OpenAI’s next generation of personal AI agents. He added that OpenClaw will continue as an open-source project under a newly established foundation, with ongoing support from OpenAI.

Originally launched under the names Clawdbot and Moltbot, OpenClaw gained rapid popularity as an AI assistant capable of handling tasks such as managing emails, interacting with insurers, checking in for flights and automating other routine activities.

Since its debut in November, the project has attracted more than 100,000 stars on GitHub and drew roughly 2 million visitors in a single week, according to Steinberger.

Source: Reuters

However, its rapid growth has also raised concerns. China’s industry ministry recently warned that open-source AI agents like OpenClaw could pose security risks if improperly configured, potentially exposing users to cyberattacks or data breaches.

In a blog post, Steinberger said maintaining OpenClaw’s open-source nature was a priority and described OpenAI as the right platform to expand the project’s reach while preserving its core vision.