OpenClaw’s Peter Steinberger says 2026 is the year of AI agents, with China catching up and cybersecurity concerns growing as devices become more powerful.
Tokyo: The creator of viral AI tool OpenClaw has predicted that 2026 will be a decisive year for artificial intelligence agents. Peter Steinberger, whose device can perform real-life tasks like flight check-in, says the technology is rapidly moving from novelty to ubiquity.
“We still need to do some things to make it better,” the Austrian programmer told AFP. He believes demand is growing as more developers are working to “make the future successful.”
OpenClaw connects to existing AI models through instant messaging apps, allowing users to give instructions such as sending a message to a friend. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently called the tool, symbolized by a bright red lobster, “the next ChatGPIT.”
This rapid adoption has raised significant cybersecurity concerns. Experts warn of the risks in allowing AI systems to access sensitive personal data such as bank details, which could be vulnerable to hacks.
Steinberger created OpenClaw in November as a personal project to organize his digital life. Its success led to a job offer from OpenAI, where he now works to drive “the next generation of personal agents”.
He argues that this kind of innovation cannot originate from major tech corporations. “Those companies must have been very concerned about what could go wrong,” Steinberger said.
The tool has found particularly enthusiastic users in China, where it helps with email, coding, and other digital tasks. “If you look at it as a competition, it certainly looks like China is gaining a lot of momentum,” he said.
Chinese authorities have issued an official warning about the potential dangers of OpenClaw. Steinberger acknowledges concerns about illegal use, especially when companies simplify installation to profit from this trend.
“I intentionally didn’t make it simple so that people would stop and read and understand,” he explained, emphasizing the need for users to understand the basics of AI and potential errors.
He compares the technology to a device with inherent risks. “If you make a hammer… you can hurt yourself. So shouldn’t we make hammers anymore?” Steinberger questioned.
The programmer sees 2023-2024 as the era of ChatGPT, with 2025 focused on coding agents. He believes that 2026 will be the year of general-purpose AI agents.
“I love that I helped a lot of people take AI from this scary thing to something that’s fun and weird and gets them excited,” Steinberger said. He believes broad engagement is key to developing beneficial AI for the coming century.
