Used Moltbot? Its creator just joined OpenAI

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Peter Steinberger, the creator of Moltbot (now called OpenClaw), is joining OpenAI to work on next‑generation personal AI agents.
• OpenClaw will remain open source and move into an independent foundation, with OpenAI supporting the project.

Background

If you jumped on Moltbot (now called OpenClaw) because it promised an AI that actually does things, there’s big news for you.

Peter Steinberger, the builder behind the viral personal AI agent, is joining OpenAI. The project will not be shut down or absorbed by OpenAI. Steinberger says OpenClaw will stay open source, move into an independent foundation, and continue receiving support from the ChatGPT “mothership.”

In a blog post announcing his move, Steinberger described the past month as a whirlwind, with his “side project” rapidly gaining global attention.

Features

OpenClaw can take real‑world actions with deep, system‑level access to your PC and a wide range of services, including Google Drive, WhatsApp, and more—going beyond merely answering questions.

Security Concerns

The project’s rapid rise brought several problems:

• Trademark disputes: The name changed from “Clawdbot” to “Moltbot” and later to “OpenClaw” after a dispute with Anthropic.
• Scams: Attackers hijacked social media accounts and code repositories to promote fake cryptocurrency tokens claiming to be linked to the project.
• Exposed dashboards: Security researchers discovered thousands of publicly exposed control dashboards lacking basic login protection. Many stored sensitive data (API keys, server access details) in plain text, potentially allowing attackers to take control of users’ machines.

Future Plans

Despite the viral growth, Steinberger’s goal isn’t to turn OpenClaw into a big company. He wants to focus on building an AI agent that anyone can use safely and easily.

OpenAI Involvement

Peter Steinberger is joining OpenAI to drive the next generation of personal agents. In a post on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Steinberger will help shape future personal AI agents and hinted that multi‑agent systems will soon play a central role in OpenAI’s products.