OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger quits Europe for the US, cites regulatory roadblocks, joins OpenAI

Open-source AI innovator Peter Steinberger, creator of the viral AI assistant OpenClaw, has announced he is relocating from Europe to the United States to work with OpenAI, sharply criticizing Europe’s regulatory environment for technology and innovation. The move reflects growing tensions between ambitious tech developers and the regulatory frameworks shaping AI’s future globally.

Who is Peter Steinberger and what is OpenClaw?

Peter Steinberger is an Austrian software engineer and founder of OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent that quickly gained massive popularity on GitHub for its ability to autonomously manage tasks like emails, calendar planning, and online logistics.

Steinberger previously built widely used tools such as PSPDFKit, a document-processing platform adopted by various tech companies. His work on AI agents placed him at the forefront of discussions around practical artificial intelligence applications.


OpenClaw’s popularity attracted attention across the tech world, leading to a partnership with OpenAI, where Steinberger will now contribute to developing the next generation of personal AI assistants.

OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman confirmed the collaboration, highlighting Steinberger’s expertise in scalable, user-centric AI systems.

Criticism of Europe’s regulatory climate

Central to Steinberger’s decision to relocate is his frustration with Europe’s approach to tech regulation. In social media posts, he said that in the United States, most people are enthusiastic about innovation, whereas in Europe, reactions are often dominated by demands for regulation and caution.

He specifically called out European labor rules and compliance requirements as impediments to agile product development and growth.

Steinberger noted that work practices common in US tech companies, such as longer work weeks and flexible development schedules, would be illegal in many European countries.

He argued that this cultural and regulatory conservatism dampens momentum for ambitious AI projects, particularly those that start as community-driven or open-source efforts.

US vs. Europe: Innovation ecosystems

Steinberger’s move underscores broader global trends. Europe has been aggressively shaping AI regulation, including its AI Act, aimed at mitigating ethical and safety risks. Critics argue that compliance burdens could stifle startups and open-source contributors.

Meanwhile, the US tech ecosystem, with its dynamic venture capital market and relatively flexible regulatory stance, continues to attract talent and capital.

Europe’s most valuable tech companies, while notable, remain smaller than the largest US counterparts, illustrating disparities in innovation scale. This environment has contributed to a talent migration dilemma for policymakers seeking to balance safety and competitiveness.

Under the new agreement with OpenAI, OpenClaw will continue as an open-source project, supported by OpenAI’s infrastructure and resources. This hybrid model aims to preserve the accessibility and community contributions that made the project popular while accelerating development in a supportive environment.