From Clawdbot to Moltbot to OpenClaw: Meet the AI agent generating buzz and fear globally

Cristiana Gigina

Through several name changes, adoption across Silicon Valley to Beijing, and mounting controversy, the open-source AI agent now known as "OpenClaw" has emerged as one of the most talked-about tools in the artificial intelligence space this year. Previously called Clawdbot and Moltbot, the AI agent was launched just weeks ago by Austrian software developer Peter Steinberger. Its sudden ascension, driven by its capabilities and social media attention, comes amid growing interest in AI agents that