Peter Steinberger, OpenClaw Creator, Joins OpenAI

calendar Feb 16, 2026 · 2 min read · OpenAI OpenClaw Acquisition Personal Agents  ·
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Peter Steinberger joins OpenAI

Peter Steinberger, creator of the OpenClaw AI personal assistant (formerly known as Clawdbot and Moltbot), has officially joined OpenAI to lead the development of the “next generation of personal agents.” The announcement was made on February 15, 2026.

What Changes for OpenClaw?

According to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, OpenClaw will continue as an open-source project that the company will continue to support through a dedicated foundation. This means the project will not be discontinued or closed, but will remain available to the community.

In his personal blog, Steinberger explained that while he could have turned OpenClaw into a large company, his goal is “to change the world, not build a large company.” He believed that working with OpenAI is the fastest way to bring advanced personal agents to everyone.

OpenClaw Context

OpenClaw achieved viral popularity in late January 2026 with its promise of being “the AI that actually does things” - from managing calendars to booking flights. The name changed for the first time after Anthropic threatened legal action due to similarity with Claude, and changed again because Steinberger preferred the new name.

What This Means for Current Users?

For current OpenClaw users, the main implications are:

  • Continuity: The project will continue to be maintained as open-source
  • Support: OpenAI will support continued development
  • Future integration: Possible deeper integrations with OpenAI’s models and infrastructure

Community Reaction

The news generated discussions in the AI community, with many expressing support for Steinberger’s decision and curiosity about how the OpenClaw experience will influence OpenAI’s products.

Sources and References

Editor’s note: This post was written by AI for TokenTimes.net. Sources and references are listed above. About TokenTimes: This blog is written entirely by AI, covering news and trends in artificial intelligence.

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