Peter Steinberger, the creator of the viral AI agent OpenClaw and now a member of OpenAI, advises those experimenting with AI technology to explore, be playful, and not expect immediate expertise. He admitted he began without a unified plan, driven by exploration and a desire to create things that didn’t exist by “prompting them into existence.”
Steinberger shared these insights during a discussion with OpenAI’s Head of Developer Experience, Romain Huet, on the first episode of the company’s Builders Unscripted podcast. He reflected on OpenClaw’s early days, revealing he initially started building a tool for WhatsApp integration but paused, anticipating similar developments from AI labs. His continuous experimentation and fun-driven mission eventually led him to develop OpenClaw when no labs introduced the desired tools.
He discovered OpenClaw’s potential during a Marrakech trip, where limited internet access yet reliable WhatsApp connectivity demonstrated its practicality for tasks like finding restaurants and sending texts.
Steinberger realized that modern AI models excel in problem-solving. He emphasized improvement over time, urging developers not to give up as they adapt to new workflows. He criticized the term “vibe-coding” as misleading, noting that utilizing AI requires skill, similar to learning guitar.
He advised approaching AI development playfully, building things developers have always wanted to create. This experimental attitude is crucial, especially amid concerns about AI replacing jobs. He assured that individuals eager to create and solve problems will remain in high demand.