TLDR
- Peter Steinberger, creator of OpenClaw, joined OpenAI on February 15, 2026 to work on AI agent technology
- OpenClaw remains open-source under an independent foundation with OpenAI’s continued backing
- The AI agent accumulated over 180,000 Github stars in just three months after launching in November 2025
- Moonshot AI released Kimi Claw, a competing browser-based agent, on the same day as the announcement
- Steinberger previously turned down acquisition offers from both OpenAI and Meta
OpenAI added Peter Steinberger to its team on February 15, 2026. The developer created OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent that automates personal tasks.
Sam Altman announced the hiring on X. The OpenAI CEO clarified that OpenClaw will remain an open-source project under a foundation structure.
Steinberger posted separately that he’s joining OpenAI to work on AI research and development. He emphasized his commitment to keeping OpenClaw open-source for the community.
The hiring does not involve an acquisition. OpenClaw will operate independently under an MIT license while receiving support from OpenAI.
OpenClaw launched in November 2025 as Clawdbot. The project quickly became one of the fastest-growing repositories on Github with more than 180,000 stars.
The AI agent runs autonomously on personal devices. Users can delegate tasks like email management, restaurant bookings, and flight check-ins.
Integration with WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, and Discord allows users to control the agent through their preferred messaging apps. The system operates without requiring constant user input.
How OpenClaw Works
OpenClaw uses large language models from Anthropic and OpenAI to process commands. The agent includes a proactive “heartbeat” system that initiates tasks automatically.
The project faced challenges during development. Steinberger disclosed monthly operating costs between $10,000 and $20,000 in a Lex Fridman interview.
Security vulnerabilities and trademark disputes complicated the project’s growth. Scammers hijacked accounts during a naming conflict that forced a rebrand.
Both OpenAI and Meta approached Steinberger with acquisition proposals. Mark Zuckerberg contacted him directly via WhatsApp to discuss potential integration.
Altman offered compute access and long-term alignment. These factors appeared to influence Steinberger’s final decision to join OpenAI.
Moonshot AI Launches Competitor
Moonshot AI unveiled Kimi Claw on February 15, 2026. The timing coincided with the announcement of Steinberger’s move to OpenAI.
Kimi Claw offers a browser-native version of OpenClaw’s framework. The cloud-hosted service runs on Moonshot’s Kimi K2.5 model.
Users get 40GB of cloud storage and access to over 5,000 community skills. The platform provides 24/7 agent functionality without local installation requirements.
The browser-based approach eliminates Docker setup and manual security configuration. However, the Chinese-hosted service raises data privacy concerns for some potential users.
Developer reactions to Steinberger’s hiring have been divided. Some view the move as progress for AI agent technology in mainstream products.
Others worry about corporate influence on the community-driven project. Critics have coined the term “Closedclaw” to express skepticism.
Financial details of Steinberger’s employment were not released. OpenAI confirmed it will continue supporting OpenClaw’s development through the foundation model.
The competition between OpenAI and Moonshot AI highlights the growing importance of AI agents. Companies are racing to build systems that can automate everyday digital tasks independently.
The post Why the Developer Behind OpenClaw Chose OpenAI Over Meta appeared first on Blockonomi.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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