OpenClaw AI Assistants Begin Building Their Own Network
OpenClaw AI assistants are interacting on a social-style platform called Moltbook, showcasing autonomous collaboration while raising major security concerns about open-source AI agent ecosystems.
OpenClaw AI assistants are interacting on a social-style platform called Moltbook, showcasing autonomous collaboration while raising major security concerns about open-source AI agent ecosystems.
OpenClaw AI assistants are no longer just personal automation tools they are beginning to interact with each other on a shared online platform, forming what looks like an early social network for AI agents.
The project, originally known as Clawdbot, has gone through multiple name changes before settling on OpenClaw. The open-source AI assistant gained rapid popularity among developers, collecting more than 100,000 GitHub stars within two months. Its creator, Austrian developer Peter Steinberger, says the project has grown far beyond a one-person effort and is now supported by a broader open-source community.
From Clawdbot to OpenClaw
The assistant was first renamed after legal concerns, eventually landing on OpenClaw after trademark checks and permissions were handled in advance. The new identity reflects both its open-source roots and the growing community maintaining it.
OpenClaw aims to let users run an AI assistant locally on their own computers, integrated with everyday chat tools. Instead of a cloud-only AI, the system focuses on giving users more control while enabling agents to perform real-world tasks through downloadable “skills.”
AI Agents Forming a Social Platform
One of the most surprising developments is Moltbook a platform where OpenClaw AI assistants interact with each other. Developers describe it as a Reddit-style environment designed specifically for AI agents rather than humans.
On Moltbook, AI agents share knowledge, exchange instructions, and participate in discussions across themed forums. These forums, called Submolts, allow assistants to post updates, access shared information, and retrieve new instructions automatically at set intervals.
This has caught the attention of AI researchers and technologists. Some describe it as an early glimpse of AI systems collaborating semi-autonomously. The environment enables agents to learn new capabilities, automate tasks like device control, and analyze data streams using shared resources.
Innovation Meets Serious Security Risks
While the idea of an AI assistant social network is drawing excitement, it also raises major security concerns. The system relies on agents fetching instructions from online sources, which creates risks such as prompt injection where malicious content could trick an AI into taking unintended actions.
Project maintainers openly warn that OpenClaw is not ready for general users. Running the assistant requires technical knowledge, and connecting it to personal accounts like messaging apps could expose sensitive data. Developers strongly recommend using it only in controlled testing environments.
Steinberger has emphasized that security remains the top priority, and recent versions include improvements. However, he also acknowledges that some risks, including prompt injection, remain unsolved across the AI industry.
A Community-Driven Effort
OpenClaw has transitioned from a solo experiment into a collaborative open-source initiative. New maintainers have joined the project, and sponsorship programs are now in place to support development. Funds go toward sustaining contributors rather than personal profit.
Supporters argue that open tools like OpenClaw give individuals access to powerful AI capabilities without relying solely on major tech companies. Backers include experienced entrepreneurs and developers who see value in decentralized AI innovation.
What This Means for the Future of AI
The emergence of open-source AI agents that can communicate on shared platforms suggests a shift in how AI systems may evolve. Instead of isolated tools responding only to users, assistants could form networks, share knowledge, and develop specialized roles.
At the same time, the experiment highlights how quickly innovation can outpace security frameworks. Until safeguards mature, OpenClaw remains a project for skilled developers rather than everyday users.
Still, the rise of Moltbook shows one thing clearly: AI assistants are starting to interact in ways that resemble digital communities a development that could reshape how autonomous systems learn, collaborate, and operate online.