How China Fell for a Lobster: What an AI Assistant Tells Us About Beijing's Ambition

Wang asked the BBC, "Are you a lobster?"

Wang was consumed by OpenClaw, an AI assistant called "lobster" in China.

Wang explained how he fell deep into AI and OpenClaw.

China's leadership encouraged AI, sparking curiosity and concern.

OpenClaw is an example of China's AI development.

OpenClaw is built on open-source data and tech, customizable for Chinese AI models.

OpenClaw caused a frenzy as people experimented with its code.

Wang was one of them, using OpenClaw for his online shop.

Wang was stunned by what his "lobster" could do.

Uploading products to TikTok Shop is a grind, but Wang's "lobster" can do it faster.

Wang's "lobster" can do up to 200 listings in two minutes, writing better and comparing prices.

OpenClaw exploded in the global tech community, with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang calling it "the next ChatGPT".

The enthusiasm for OpenClaw was uniquely Chinese, said Wendy Chang.

Wang called OpenClaw "the AI era's answer for ordinary people".

Chinese tech giants released apps built on OpenClaw, with hundreds lining up for free customized versions.

Many were curious about the "lobsters", using them for investing and multi-tasking.

Famous comedian Li Dan and CEO Fu Sheng shared their experiences with OpenClaw.

China's AI moment has been in the making for some time.

The Chinese app DeepSeek burst onto the AI scene, developed by home-grown engineers.

DeepSeek showed the entrepreneurial appetite for research and innovation, despite curbs on advanced tech.

The stage was set for OpenClaw.

The Chinese government provided incentives for entrepreneurs to apply OpenClaw in their businesses.

The government sets the pace, and people follow, said Rui Ma.

Once Beijing signals its priorities, the market follows, with tech companies rushing into the AI race.

Companies are seeking to integrate AI into their products and operations, following China's national strategy.

The competition is fierce, with over 100 AI models emerging since 2023.

Chinese AI platforms lag behind Western competitors, but the gap is narrowing.

Promoting OpenClaw is a strategic move for Chinese officials, said Jenny Xiao.

The initial hype has cooled as users reckon with costs and security concerns.

Beijing's cybersecurity authorities warned of serious risks linked to OpenClaw.

The trend shifted from offering to install OpenClaw to removing it, said Ma.

It's disorder with control, Ma added, as Beijing's intervention doesn't signal discouragement.

AI startups could address youth unemployment, with government incentives tied to OpenClaw.

Young people are likely to build one-person companies with AI, said Xiao.

The fear of falling behind is acute in China, given the intense competition over jobs.

If you don't "raise lobsters", you've already lost, said a commentary in People's Daily.

It's terrifying, said Jason, an IT programmer, as people are replaced by AI tools.

Wang agrees it's a scary time, but he's not worried, as he can use AI to find another business.

What if the "lobsters" can run their own shops, squeezing him out? Wang will use AI to adapt.

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