Austrian programmer Peter Steinberger’s artificial intelligence agent, OpenClaw, is turning heads in the tech world for its ability to perform real-life tasks, including checking him in for his flight to Tokyo.
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While AI is not yet a mainstream personal assistant for everyday users, Steinberger told AFP on Monday that 2026 “is the year of agents,” and more people will soon experience AI tools like OpenClaw.
OpenClaw can connect to existing AI models and execute simple instructions via instant messaging apps, functioning much like a digital assistant. Steinberger built the tool in November 2025 while experimenting with AI coding tools to organise his digital life.
OpenClaw has already attracted high-profile attention. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, called it “the next ChatGPT,” while OpenAI’s Sam Altman has hired Steinberger to help develop the next generation of personal agents.
Despite the excitement, cybersecurity experts have raised concerns over potential vulnerabilities, given that AI agents could access sensitive personal information such as banking details. Steinberger acknowledged these risks but emphasised user responsibility, noting that he intentionally made the installation process non-trivial to encourage understanding of AI basics.
OpenClaw has also gained significant traction in China, where users employ it to organise emails, assist with coding, and handle other digital tasks. However, Chinese authorities have issued warnings about potential risks associated with AI tools.
The tool was recently showcased at “ClawCon” in Tokyo, where hundreds of enthusiasts, many dressed as lobsters, installed and tested their OpenClaw agents. Steinberger described the event as a step toward making AI both “fun and weird” while preparing it for broader adoption in the coming decade.
“2023-2024 was the year of ChatGPT, last year was the year of the coding agent, this year is going to be the year of the general agent,” Steinberger said. “I love that I helped people bring AI from something scary into something exciting.”
