In China, a tech craze has swept the nation with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool OpenClaw. The open-source AI agent can autonomously complete tasks for users, making it an attractive opportunity for savvy early adopters to launch businesses.
A small cohort of tech-savvy individuals have turned this trend into cash by offering installation services and pre-configured hardware, creating a booming industry. Users with little technical background want in on the action, driving demand for services and products.
The rapid growth has led to lucrative opportunities for entrepreneurs like Feng Qingyang, who started his business after just setting up an AI agent. His operation now employs over 100 people and handles 7,000 orders. Others, such as Xie Manrui, are developing tools on top of the OpenClaw ecosystem.
As users flock to OpenClaw, tech giants like Tencent are piggybacking on the trend, offering free installation support. Local governments have also joined in, releasing policies to support OpenClaw-related ventures and providing incentives for standout projects.
However, experts caution that the risks associated with OpenClaw, including security breaches and data leaks, must not be ignored. Some users express concerns about the technology’s readiness for mainstream adoption, citing a lack of technical fluency and independent judgment required for safe usage.
Despite these warnings, China’s enthusiasm for OpenClaw shows no signs of slowing down. As Feng aims to expand his business using AI tools at its core, others are following suit in their pursuit of lucrative opportunities in the rapidly growing AI installation industry.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/11/1134179/china-openclaw-gold-rush