SYDNEY, 16 February 2026 – The landscape of open-source artificial intelligence has shifted dramatically today following the announcement that Peter Steinberger, the creator of the viral AI agent framework OpenClaw, is joining OpenAI. The move, confirmed by Sam Altman, marks a pivotal moment for the project that has reached 190,000 GitHub stars in record time.
Latest Updates: OpenAI Integration and Future Outlook
As of 16 February 2026, OpenAI has officially brought Steinberger on board to accelerate the development of autonomous personal agents. Despite the hiring, Altman stated that OpenClaw will continue to exist as an open-source project within a foundation, ensuring that the community-driven development remains accessible to the public.
The acquisition of talent comes at a critical time for the project. Reports last week indicated that OpenClaw was costing Steinberger between A$15,000 and A$30,000 (US$10,000–$20,000) per month in infrastructure and maintenance costs. This transition to OpenAI is expected to provide the financial and technical backing required to scale the platform safely.
What is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is a self-hosted AI agent platform designed for high-level automation. Unlike standard chatbots, OpenClaw operates as an “agent,” meaning it can execute tasks across multiple channels, manage sessions, and use external tools to perform complex workflows like managing servers or automating social media digests.
System Requirements and Installation
For users looking to self-host the framework, OpenClaw requires a modern environment to handle its multi-channel architecture. Below are the verified technical specifications for a standard deployment:
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Node.js | Version 22 or higher (Latest LTS recommended) |
| Memory (RAM) | Minimum 1 GB (2 GB+ recommended for production) |
| Operating System | macOS 12+, Ubuntu 20.04+, or Windows (via WSL2) |
| Package Manager | npm or pnpm |
Security and Emerging Alternatives
While OpenClaw’s popularity is undeniable, it has faced scrutiny from security firms. On 10 February 2026, Kaspersky flagged the platform for potential vulnerabilities related to how it handles autonomous permissions, warning that “pushing autonomy to the edge” can create risks if not properly sandboxed.
In response to these concerns, a lighter alternative named NanoClaw debuted on 31 January 2026. Released under the MIT License, NanoClaw aims to solve some of the primary security issues of the original framework by offering a more restricted, “security-first” environment for AI agents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenClaw still free to use?
Yes. While a hosted version called OpenClawd.ai launched last week with premium tiers, the core OpenClaw project remains open-source and free to download from GitHub.
Who created OpenClaw?
The project was created by Peter Steinberger, who is now joining OpenAI to lead their autonomous agent initiatives.
Can I run OpenClaw on Windows?
Yes, but it is highly recommended to use Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) or an Azure Windows 11 Virtual Machine for the best compatibility with Node.js 22.
What can I build with OpenClaw?
Common community projects include Reddit digest bots, self-healing server scripts, and personal AI assistants that can manage emails and calendar scheduling autonomously.