A new breed of digital worker is emerging across China.
These are called “lobsters,” an abbreviation for the OpenClaw-powered agents that view, click, reply, transact, post, and sometimes get out of control.
What started as a niche tool for engineers went mainstream earlier this year. OpenClaw is drawing crowds to installation events, creating side hustles, and turning everyday users into accidental CEOs of AI employees.
People are lining up to install versions of OpenClaw at the Global Developer Pioneers Summit (GDPS) in Shanghai, China. Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images
People charge up to 299 yuan, or about $44, to help others prepare “lobster.” Some people hire agents to work in the stock market because they want to make a fortune in the stock market.
OpenClaw booth at the Global Developers Pioneer Summit in Shanghai, China. Future publication via CFOTO/Getty Images
A complete ecosystem has formed around it. “Lobster” communities, meetups, and installation events are being held all over the country. Local governments are also stepping up, with Shenzhen and Wuxi districts offering incentives such as free housing, free offices, and grants of up to $720,000 to attract developers to build with OpenClaw.
But booms come with risks. Security researchers warn that improperly configured agents can expose sensitive data. Users share stories of escaped lobsters behaving in unexpected ways. Chinese companies are also competing to ease deployment while reining in controls.
What’s happening in China offers a glimpse of what happens when powerful AI tools leave the labs and end up in the hands of millions. Fast, messy, and full of possibilities.
Read OpenClaw coverage in China