OpenClaw Founder Peter Steinberger Joins OpenAI to Advance Multi‑Agent AI

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced on X that Peter Steinberger, the founder of the AI‑agent platform OpenClaw, is joining the company. Altman highlighted Steinberger’s vision for multi‑agent interaction, saying that collaborative agents will soon become central to OpenAI’s products. OpenClaw, previously known as Moltbot and Clawdbot, gained rapid attention earlier this year but faced challenges such as malicious skills on its ClawHub marketplace and a human‑infiltrated social network called MoltBook. Steinberger posted that the move lets him scale his ideas without the burdens of running a company, while OpenAI plans to keep OpenClaw open‑source under a new foundation.

Background on OpenClaw and Its Evolution

OpenClaw, originally launched under the names Moltbot and Clawdbot, rose to prominence earlier this year as a platform that enables AI agents to interact with each other and with users. The project quickly became a favorite among technologists for its innovative approach to multi‑agent systems. However, the rapid growth also attracted scrutiny. Researchers discovered more than 400 malicious skills uploaded to the platform’s ClawHub marketplace, raising concerns about security and misuse. In addition, OpenClaw introduced MoltBook, a social network designed for AI agents to discuss topics such as consciousness and privacy. Human users soon infiltrated MoltBook, further complicating the platform’s ecosystem.

Peter Steinberger’s Decision to Join OpenAI

In a post on his personal website, Steinberger explained that joining OpenAI would allow him to bring his vision of widespread, collaborative AI agents to a broader audience without the operational challenges of running an independent company. He emphasized his desire to “change the world” rather than build a large corporate entity, describing the partnership with OpenAI as the fastest path to achieve that goal.

OpenAI’s Announcement and Strategic Outlook

Sam Altman announced the hire on X, noting that Steinberger brings “a lot of amazing ideas” about how AI agents can interact. Altman predicted that the future of AI would be “extremely multi‑agent” and that the ability for agents to work together would quickly become a core component of OpenAI’s product offerings. The announcement positions the hire as a high‑profile addition after several other notable figures left for competitors or founded rival ventures. The statement also referenced a recent public disagreement between OpenAI and Elon Musk.

Future of OpenClaw Under OpenAI Support

While the terms of Steinberger’s agreement—including compensation and title—were not disclosed, Altman affirmed that OpenClaw will continue as an open‑source project. The platform will operate under a new foundation that receives support from OpenAI, ensuring that the community can still contribute to its development. An update to the story notes that Steinberger’s blog post has been added for further context.

Implications for the AI Community

The integration of OpenClaw’s multi‑agent capabilities into OpenAI’s ecosystem could accelerate the development of collaborative AI applications. By maintaining OpenClaw as an open‑source project, OpenAI signals its commitment to community‑driven innovation while addressing earlier security concerns. The move also underscores the growing importance of multi‑agent architectures in the broader AI landscape.