Frenzy over AI agent OpenClaw shows the lobster has escaped the pot
AI agents are the next frontier in the tech race, which is rapidly accelerating as the distance between curiosity and adoption is compressed
In China this month, people have been lining up on streets to install an AI programme on their computers. Some had travelled from other cities. Others had waited for hours for engineers to set it up for them. There were even “birth certificates” given out upon installation.
The scene looks quirky, even amusing. But beneath the spectacle lies a revealing moment in the global AI race. It reflects technological enthusiasm, corporate strategy and the risks that accompany every new digital gold rush. OpenClaw represents a shift in how artificial intelligence interacts with computers.
For years, most AI tools functioned as conversational assistants. You ask a question, the system responds. But AI agents such as OpenClaw operate differently. Instead of answering questions, they execute tasks. With the right permissions, the software can browse the internet, organise files, send emails, analyse data or run code on a user’s machine. In theory, it becomes a digital employee working tirelessly in the background.