Best Podcasts on OpenAI's OpenClaw Hiring
Updated: Feb 16, 2026 – 8 episodes
OpenAI has hired Peter Steinberger, the creator of the viral open-source agent framework OpenClaw (formerly Moltbot), to lead its 'personal agents' division. Announced on February 15, this move signals a major strategic pivot for OpenAI toward 'agentic AI'—systems capable of executing complex tasks autonomously rather than just generating text. As part of the transition, OpenClaw will move to a foundation structure to remain open-source, though Steinberger will work directly on OpenAI's proprietary agent architecture.
The AI Daily Brief is bullish on Peter Steinberger's move to OpenAI, highlighting his vision for multi-agent systems. Start with their episode to understand why they see this as a billion-dollar opportunity. Limitless Podcast is equally enthusiastic, calling OpenClaw's rise the fastest in history. For a balanced view, Lex Fridman Podcast discusses both the potential and the risks of AI agents having access to personal data. This Week in Startups offers a mixed take, exploring both the excitement and skepticism around OpenClaw's future. Their episode is a good listen if you're curious about the broader implications.
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Podcast Episodes Covering This Story
The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis
OpenClaw Goes to OpenAI
Date posted: Feb 16, 2026
At a glance
The podcast highlights the strategic significance of Peter Steinberger's move to OpenAI, emphasizing his vision for multi-agent systems and the importance of keeping OpenClaw open-source, which contrasts with typical corporate acquisitions.
Key quote from this episode
“Peter Steinberger might have actually built the first one-person billion-dollar company staffed entirely by AI agents. We expect this will quickly become core to our product offerings.”
Limitless Podcast
OpenAI Just Acquired OpenClaw: Why This Is A Huge Deal
Date posted: Feb 16, 2026
At a glance
The podcast highlights the rapid rise of OpenClaw and its acquisition by OpenAI as a transformative moment in AI, emphasizing the potential for personal agents to enhance productivity while maintaining open-source principles.
Key quote from this episode
“This is by far the fastest growing project in history and one that has taken the world by storm.”
The podcast segment highlights Peter Steinberger's vision for AI agents and his motivations for joining OpenAI, emphasizing a collaborative future for AI rather than just a corporate focus.
“What I want is to change the world, and I will not build a large company, and teaming up with OpenAI is the fastest way to bring this to everyone.”
The podcast segment critiques OpenAI's direction by highlighting Peter Steinberger's preference for specialized, collaborative agents over a singular AGI model, suggesting a potential conflict between his vision and OpenAI's mission.
“Gravity always wins, end quote.”
Lex Fridman Podcast
#491 – OpenClaw: The Viral AI Agent that Broke the Internet – Peter Steinberger
Date posted: Feb 12, 2026
At a glance
The segment highlights the excitement around OpenClaw's capabilities while also addressing the potential dangers of giving AI agents extensive access to personal data, presenting a balanced view on the implications of this technology.
Key quote from this episode
“OpenClaw represents freedom, but with freedom comes responsibility. With it, you can own and have control over your data, but precisely because you have this control, you also have the responsibility to protect it from cybersecurity threats of various kinds.”
Security Now (Audio)
SN 1064: Least Privilege - Cybercrime Goes Pro
Date posted: Feb 10, 2026
The podcast segment provides a detailed overview of OpenClaw's capabilities and rapid adoption, while also highlighting the mixed user experiences and potential risks associated with its swift rise in popularity.
“Eric Cron, CISO advisor at KnowBe4 says, quote, it seems that in just a couple of days, everybody doing anything with AI, and even many who don't, have installed and raved about this new agentic product.”
The podcast segment discusses the implications of OpenClaw's transition to OpenAI, highlighting both the potential benefits of autonomous agents and the security concerns that arise from such technology.
“I'm sure you've been inundated with requests to talk about OpenClaw and its crazy security implications and also AI changing by the day coolness.”
The podcast segment explores the implications of Peter Steinberger's move to OpenAI, highlighting both the potential benefits for him and concerns about the future of OpenClaw, contrasting the optimistic view of a lucrative opportunity with skepticism about OpenAI's history.
“Some people feel is a rug pull, what some people feel is the end of the project, what other people feel is gonna be just fine, and they're extremely happy for the founder of OpenClaw to secure a bag in under 60 days.”
The podcast discusses both the potential benefits of OpenAI's hiring of Peter Steinberger and the cynical view that it may lead to the commoditization of OpenClaw, suggesting a complex interplay between innovation and market control.
“This technology was becoming so powerful that it commoditized OpenAI and Clawed. Because it wins the interface. Whoever wins the interface wins the day.”
The podcast segment discusses the acquisition of OpenClaw by OpenAI, highlighting both the excitement around the technology and concerns about the implications of such a purchase by a major player in the AI space.
“OpenClaw getting bought. Bye. The evil empire. OpenAI, Sam Altman, has bought OpenClaw.”
This Week in Startups
Does Clawdbot (OpenClaw) Need Eyes? (feat. Alex Finn and Matt Van Horn) | E2247
Date posted: Feb 10, 2026
At a glance
The hosts express both excitement about the potential of agentic AI and skepticism about its immediate practical applications, highlighting a divide between visionary uses and everyday utility.
Key quote from this episode
“I could see this showing up in warehouses and factories and so forth. This example is a little bit kitschy, a little bit funny, but it's a demo.”
At a glance
The podcast segment explores the potential longevity of OpenClaw versus the fleeting nature of similar AI trends, suggesting that while OpenClaw has practical applications, other products may not endure.
Key quote from this episode
“It seems to me like these two products have become something more than that... OpenClaw seems to have kind of withstood the ups and downs of the hype.”
Sentiment Overview
Bullish (3)
Mixed (9)