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Y Combinator Startup Podcast

Y Combinator Startup Podcast

OpenClaw And The Future Of Personal AI Agents

Feb 7, 2026 · 23m

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About this episode

You’ve probably already heard all about OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot/Moltbot). The viral sensation is an open-source AI assistant that runs on your own device, connects with messaging apps you already use, and goes beyond chat to actually execute tasks like managing your email, calendars, files, workflows, and more. Now meet the man behind it. YC’s Raphael Schaad sat down with Peter Steinberger, the creator of OpenClaw, to discuss the “aha” moment behind the viral personal AI agent, why local-first agents could replace many of today’s apps, and how personal agents will reshape the future of software. Chapters: 00:00 – OpenClaw takes over the internet 00:44 – Life after going viral 01:28 –…