Peter Steinberger joins OpenAI. OpenClaw becomes a Foundation
The PSPDFKit founder makes his next move. His AI project remains open source
What started as a weekend project is now being institutionalized. Peter Steinberger, known as the founder of PSPDFKit, announced: He is joining OpenAI. OpenClaw, his viral AI agent project, is becoming a foundation. And remains completely open source.
The past month was a whirlwind for Steinberger. His playground project made waves that no one had anticipated. "The internet became weird again," he writes. And that was precisely the goal: to have fun, to inspire people.
Now the lobster is taking over the world. The possibilities are endless. Countless people pushed in different directions, offered advice, inquired about investment opportunities. Steinberger calls it "overwhelming."
Why OpenAI?
Steinberger could build a massive company. But he doesn't want to. "At heart, I'm a builder," he explains. He spent 13 years building PSPDFKit. He has already played the "found a company" game. Now he wants to change the world, not build a large corporation.
The New Mission
His next mission: to build an agent that even his mother can use. That requires access to the latest models and research. Teaming up with OpenAI is the fastest way to bring that to everyone.
Steinberger spent last week in San Francisco. He spoke with the major labs, gained access to people and unpublished research. "Inspiring on all levels," he says. The more he spoke with the team at OpenAI, the clearer it became: they share the same vision.
OpenClaw Remains Open Source
This has always been essential for Steinberger. OpenClaw must remain open source and have the freedom to thrive. OpenAI made strong commitments to allow him time for it and is already sponsoring the project.
To establish a clean structure, Steinberger is working on setting up a foundation. It will remain a place for thinkers, hackers, and people who want to own their data. With the goal of supporting even more models and companies.
Steinberger calls the community around OpenClaw "magical." And that is exactly what should endure. Open, hackable, for the community.
The claw is the law
Personally, Steinberger is "super excited" to join OpenAI. To be part of the frontier of AI research and development. And to continue building alongside the community. Source: https://steipete.me/posts/2026/openclaw