OpenAI has hired Peter Steinberger, the creator of the rapidly popular AI agent OpenClaw, signaling a significant move to integrate the technology into its core product offerings. The announcement, made by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on X (formerly Twitter) on February 15, 2026, comes as OpenClaw has gained traction for its ability to automate tasks like email management and online service utilization.
Steinberger, an Austrian software developer who had been dividing his time between London and Vienna, will “drive the next generation of personal agents” at OpenAI, according to Altman. OpenClaw itself will “live in a foundation as an open source project that OpenAI will continue to support,” Altman stated. The acquisition of both Steinberger and the project underscores OpenAI’s ambition to advance autonomous AI systems.
The move follows a period of rapid growth for OpenClaw, which previously went by the names Clawdbot and Moltbot. The name changes occurred after Anthropic threatened legal action over similarities to its Claude AI assistant, and later because Steinberger preferred the modern moniker. According to TechCrunch, Steinberger considered building OpenClaw into a standalone company but ultimately decided that joining OpenAI offered the fastest path to widespread impact.
Steinberger articulated his reasoning in a blog post, stating, “What I want is to change the world, not build a large company[,] and teaming up with OpenAI is the fastest way to bring this to everyone.”
The acquisition highlights a broader trend of AI companies aggressively pursuing top talent. OpenAI’s previous acquisition of Jony Ive’s AI devices startup io for over $6 billion in May 2025 demonstrates this willingness to invest heavily in innovation. Meta and Google have also engaged in substantial spending to attract AI developers and researchers.
The news also touches on a long-standing debate within Europe regarding its ability to foster and retain successful technology companies. In response to a question on X from a European university professor about why Europe struggles to keep tech talent, Steinberger cited a stark contrast in attitudes. He stated that in the United States, there is widespread enthusiasm, while in Europe, he frequently encounters criticism focused on responsibility and regulation.
Steinberger further elaborated that establishing a company in Europe would be hampered by stringent labor laws and similar regulations. He contrasted this with the work culture at OpenAI, where he said employees typically work six to seven days a week and are compensated accordingly – a practice he indicated would be illegal in many European countries.
Europe’s relative lack of tech giants is a recurring concern. While Dutch chip-equipment maker ASML currently holds the title of the continent’s most valuable company, with a valuation of approximately $550 billion, it is dwarfed by the ten US companies each worth over $1 trillion. A 2024 EU report identified a significant innovation gap between the region and the United States, proposing a series of reforms to address the issue. However, by late 2025, implementation of those recommendations had been limited.
Steinberger expressed cautious optimism about EU INC, an initiative aimed at creating a unified corporate legal framework across Europe to simplify business operations. However, he suggested the effort is “fizzling out,” describing it as “watered down” and hampered by “too much egoistic national interest that ultimately hurts everyone.”
