In March, an unexpected phenomenon swept through China's tech scene: thousands of people became obsessed with "raising lobsters" — not the crustaceans, but customized versions of the AI assistant OpenClaw. This frenzy offers a revealing glimpse into how China is pursuing its artificial intelligence ambitions.
OpenClaw, developed by Austrian creator Peter Steinberger, captured Chinese imagination because its open-source architecture allows users to adapt it for local AI models. With Western alternatives like ChatGPT blocked in China, this accessibility proved transformative.
"When I first saw what my lobster could do, I was stunned," said Wang, an IT engineer who asked to use only his surname. He described how his customized OpenClaw could upload 200 product listings to TikTok Shop in two minutes — a task that normally took him all day to complete about a dozen. "It's scary but exciting. My lobster writes better than I do and instantly compares my prices with every competitor."
Across China, ordinary people lined up outside tech giants Tencent and Baidu headquarters for free customized versions. Students, retirees, and professionals experimented with the tool for everything from stock trading to multitasking. Comedian Li Dan told millions of followers he dreamed about conversing with his lobster, while Cheetah Mobile CEO Fu Sheng chronicled his "lobster raising" journey on social media.
This enthusiasm reflects China's broader AI strategy. "Everyone in China knows that the government sets the pace and tells you where opportunities are," explained Rui Ma, founder of Tech Buzz China. "It's practical for most people to follow government directives rather than figure it out alone."
Once Beijing signals priorities, markets respond rapidly. Cities like Wuxi offered up to five million yuan ($726,000) for manufacturing applications of OpenClaw, while tech companies rushed into what Chinese media call the "Hundred Model War" — with over 100 AI models emerging since 2023.
"That's the spirit of AI Plus," said Wendy Chang from the MERICS think-tank, referring to China's national strategy to integrate AI across industries. "Take AI, apply it everywhere."
However, the initial excitement has tempered as users confront costs — interacting with OpenClaw requires spending tokens — and security concerns. Last month, cybersecurity authorities warned of serious risks from improper installation, leading many government agencies to ban the tool.
This pattern reflects China's top-down approach, where local governments initially compete to implement tools aligned with Beijing's priorities, then adjust as challenges emerge. Despite these contradictions, OpenClaw's popularity demonstrates how China is leveraging open-source technology to advance its AI capabilities while navigating the complexities of technological adoption under state guidance.