Peter Steinberger, the creator of OpenClaw (earlier called Moltbot and Clawd), has joined OpenAI. He announced the move on Sunday. He will work with the San Francisco-based company on AI agents. However, he confirmed that OpenClaw will continue as an open-source project.

Recently, the tool became popular because users can set it up quickly. It also runs without cloud dependency. Therefore, many developers built agent workflows and shared them online.

 

Steinberger Confirms the Move

Steinberger shared the news on X (formerly Twitter). He said the project would move to a foundation and stay open and independent. In a blog post, he added that he wants to bring AI agents to more people.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman welcomed him publicly. He said Steinberger will help build the next generation of personal AI agents. Altman described him as a visionary thinker. He also noted that personal agents will soon become central to OpenAI’s products. Moreover, he said future AI systems will involve multiple agents working together. Open source support will remain important for the company.

 

Why He Selected OpenAI

Steinberger explained that OpenClaw could have become a company. However, he did not want to create a traditional startup. He called himself a “builder at heart.” He wants to design AI tools simple enough for non-technical users.

He spoke with several AI companies before deciding. Finally, he chose OpenAI. Some reports suggested he also considered Meta’s Superintelligence Labs.

 

What Happens to OpenClaw

OpenClaw will remain available to the public. The project will operate under an OpenAI foundation structure. This step ensures the code stays open and accessible.

Anyone can use, modify, or fork the software. As a result, it cannot turn into a closed proprietary product.