isnaini azizah
China’s tech landscape is currently captivated by the explosive popularity of OpenClaw, an innovative open-source AI tool that empowers devices to autonomously execute tasks for users. This technological fervor has unexpectedly ignited a burgeoning entrepreneurial scene, with savvy early adopters transforming the AI craze into a lucrative business opportunity. As the general public clamors for access to this cutting-edge technology, a vibrant ecosystem of individuals and small businesses has emerged, offering crucial installation services, preconfigured hardware, and expert guidance to navigate the complexities of this rapidly evolving AI. This phenomenon underscores China’s insatiable appetite for advanced AI, even in the face of significant security vulnerabilities.
Feng Qingyang, a 27-year-old software engineer based in Beijing, epitomizes this new wave of AI entrepreneurs. Initially drawn to OpenClaw in January, he quickly recognized its potential beyond personal use. His ability to assist less technically proficient peers in installing the AI agent led him to establish a service on Xianyu, a popular secondhand marketplace. His advertisement, promising "OpenClaw installation support" with a guarantee of ease and remote accessibility, resonated deeply with a public eager for AI assistance without the technical barriers. The promise of "quickly owning an AI assistant, available within 30 minutes" struck a chord.
The demand surged, transforming Feng’s side gig into a full-fledged operation. By the end of February, he had quit his traditional engineering job, now leading a team of over 100 employees. His venture has already processed an impressive 7,000 orders, each averaging around 248 RMB (approximately $34). Feng’s philosophy, "Opportunities are always fleeting. As programmers, we are the first to feel the winds shift," encapsulates the agile and opportunistic mindset driving this new generation of AI-powered businesses. He is part of a select group of early adopters capitalizing on the OpenClaw phenomenon, bridging the gap between advanced technology and mainstream adoption.
The OpenClaw craze has earned itself a colorful nickname among Chinese users: "Lobster." This affectionate moniker stems from the AI tool’s distinctive logo. Xie Manrui, a 36-year-old software engineer in Shenzhen, notes that "Have you raised a lobster yet?" has become a ubiquitous question, highlighting the widespread adoption and discussion surrounding the technology. Xie, like Feng, has been actively involved in the OpenClaw ecosystem since January, developing complementary open-source tools, including a visualizer that depicts the AI agent as an animated desktop worker and a voice-chat interface. He emphasizes the social aspect of this trend, stating, "I’ve met so many new people through ‘lobster raising,’ many are lawyers or doctors, with little technical background, but all dedicated to learning new things."
The "Lobster" is rapidly infiltrating both online and offline spaces across China. Tech influencer Fu Sheng’s February livestream showcasing OpenClaw’s capabilities garnered 20,000 viewers. Last weekend, Xie attended three separate OpenClaw gatherings in Shenzhen, each attracting over 500 attendees. These informal, user-driven events often feature prominent figures in the tech industry, including power users, influencers, and venture capitalists. The largest of these events, on March 7, saw over 1,000 people packed into a venue, with many attendees unable to secure seats, illustrating the sheer scale of interest.
Major Chinese AI companies are also leveraging this trend, promoting their models, APIs, and cloud services as compatible with OpenClaw, and even developing their own similar AI agents. Tencent, for instance, recently hosted a free OpenClaw installation support event in Shenzhen, drawing substantial crowds, including elderly individuals and children. Local governments are taking notice, with the Longgang district in Shenzhen implementing policies to support OpenClaw-related ventures, offering incentives such as free computing credits and cash rewards for innovative projects. Other cities, like Wuxi, are following suit. Henry Li, a Beijing-based software engineer, observed the viral nature of the technology when his 77-year-old father requested assistance in installing a "Lobster," underscoring its widespread appeal across demographics.
The current lucrative environment for individuals with technical expertise like Feng stems from the significant demand for OpenClaw coupled with a widespread lack of technical proficiency among the general populace. Setting up OpenClaw demands a level of technical knowledge that many users lack, from navigating command-line interfaces to understanding developer platforms. Furthermore, the hardware requirements can be a barrier; older or budget laptops may struggle to run the AI agent smoothly. The potential for privacy risks is also a major concern. If OpenClaw is installed on a user’s primary computer or if data access is not properly managed, it can expose users to data leaks and malicious attacks.
Chris Zhao, known online as "Qi Shifu," actively cultivates OpenClaw communities on social media platforms like Rednote and Jike. He shares insights on AI and invites interested users to private WeChat groups, requiring proof of a functional "Lobster" to gain entry. Zhao notes that even within these advanced user groups, discussions about hardware and cloud setup remain a constant topic. This elevated barrier to entry for OpenClaw setup has naturally fostered a service industry. Chinese e-commerce platforms like Taobao and JD are flooded with hundreds of listings for OpenClaw, primarily offering installation guides and technical support packages ranging from 100 to 700 RMB ($15 to $100). Some vendors even offer in-person assistance at the higher price point.
Most of these service providers, much like Feng, are early adopters with technical skills seeking supplementary income. However, the escalating demand has pushed some to their limits. Xie, the Shenzhen developer, was recently asked by a friend running an installation business to assist with an e-commerce client who lacked technical expertise. Xie’s afternoon of in-person support earned him 600 RMB ($87). The burgeoning demand has also prompted vendors like Feng to standardize their offerings into tiered packages: basic installation, custom configurations for specific app integrations, and ongoing tutoring services for users seeking continuous guidance.
Other entrepreneurs are combining OpenClaw with hardware sales. Li Gong, a Shenzhen-based seller of refurbished Mac computers, was an early mover in this space, offering Mac minis and MacBooks with OpenClaw preinstalled. Many users prefer to install OpenClaw on separate devices to safeguard their primary computers from potential infiltration and unauthorized access to personal data, given OpenClaw’s deep system access and continuous operation capabilities. Refurbished or secondhand hardware offers a cost-effective solution for this. Li reports an eightfold increase in orders over the past two weeks.
Tianyu Fang, a PhD candidate studying the history of technology at Harvard University, observes that the practice of purchasing software bundles, third-party packages, and modified devices is not new to many Chinese internet users. These practices mirror historical instances of users seeking IT support for tasks ranging from software installation to device modifications.
However, not everyone is swept up in the OpenClaw frenzy. Jiang Yunhui, a tech worker in Ningbo, expresses concern that ordinary users struggling with setup might not be the ideal audience for a technology still in its nascent stages. He argues, "The hype in first-tier cities can be a little overblown. The agent is still a proof of concept, and I doubt it would be of any life-changing use to the average person for now." He believes that safe and effective use requires a level of technical fluency and independent judgment that most new users currently lack.
These concerns are echoed by official warnings. On March 10, China’s cybersecurity regulator, CNCERT, issued a warning highlighting the security and data risks associated with OpenClaw, noting that it increases users’ vulnerability to data breaches. Despite these potential pitfalls, China’s enthusiasm for OpenClaw shows no signs of abating. Feng, now financially empowered by his venture, aims to leverage this momentum and capital to further develop his AI-centric business. He envisions a future where OpenClaw and other AI agents enable him to "run a one-person company," setting a one-year target for this ambitious goal.
