OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent created by Austrian developer Peter Steinberger, has been gaining popularity in China, with users hoping to utilise their expertise better than chatbots like ​DeepSeek. The tool can connect several hardware and software tools to learn from data produced without human intervention. It has been popular with retirees looking for side income and AI firms seeking new revenue streams. However, security issues could hinder the initial enthusiasm, particularly as token costs rise and regulators warn of security vulnerabilities. Some local governments have offered subsidies of up to 20 million yuan ($2.8 million) a year for qualifying "one-person companies."