How an AI Agent Went Viral and Changed Its Name in 72 Hours
▼ Summary
– Moltbot is an open-source AI assistant that went viral for its ability to perform real tasks and automation within communication apps like WhatsApp and Slack, rather than just chatting.
– It was originally named Clawdbot but was forced to rebrand to Moltbot after Anthropic raised trademark concerns over the similarity to its AI model “Claude.”
– The project’s chaotic launch involved crypto scammers hijacking social media handles and promoting a fake cryptocurrency, alongside a meme-worthy incident where the AI redesigned its lobster mascot with a human face.
– Its key technical features include persistent memory across conversations, proactive notifications, and the ability to automate tasks by integrating with a user’s existing tools and selected AI models.
– While innovative, Moltbot is an early-stage, open-source project with security considerations and installation complexity, not a polished commercial product.
In just seventy-two hours, an open-source AI project called Clawdbot experienced a whirlwind journey from viral sensation to a forced rebrand, emerging as Moltbot. This assistant distinguishes itself by performing actual tasks on your computer across your everyday apps, not just engaging in conversation. Its rapid rise, chaotic rebranding process, and core promise of a truly useful digital helper have captured significant attention in the tech community.
The concept that ignited excitement is straightforward: an AI that operates within your existing communication channels. You interact with Moltbot on platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, or iMessage as you would with a person. It can recall past conversations, send you unprompted reminders, and, with your permission, automate workflows. The brainchild of developer Peter Steinberger, it routes your requests to major AI models like Claude or ChatGPT to do the heavy lifting, positioning itself as the proactive assistant many had hoped for.
The project’s initial launch was meteoric, gaining tens of thousands of GitHub stars and endorsements from prominent figures. Then, a trademark issue arose. Anthropic, the creator of the Claude AI, contacted Steinberger to note the similarity between “Claude” and “Clawdbot.” The decision to change the name to Moltbot set off a chain of digital chaos.
Within moments of the announcement, automated bots seized the project’s original social media handles. In a frantic mix-up, Steinberger accidentally renamed his personal GitHub account, which was also instantly taken. The situation required urgent calls to platform support to regain control. Amidst this, a humorous incident dubbed “the Handsome Molty incident” occurred when an AI-generated attempt to age the lobster mascot resulted in a bizarre, meme-ready human-faced lobster.
The frenzy also attracted bad actors. Fake profiles promoted cryptocurrency scams, and a fraudulent token briefly achieved a multi-million dollar valuation before collapsing, prompting Steinberger to repeatedly warn his followers. The core appeal of Moltbot lies in its three key features: persistent memory, proactive notifications, and genuine automation. Unlike many AI tools that reset with each session, it remembers context and preferences over time. It can message you first with daily briefings or reminders, and it can execute tasks like organizing files, summarizing emails, or managing smart home devices.
It’s crucial to understand that Moltbot is not a consumer-ready product. Steinberger openly states it’s a fast-evolving open-source project. The recent drama highlighted its rough edges, involving security vulnerabilities that needed immediate patching. This tool is best suited for technically adept users comfortable with configuration and conscious of cybersecurity, not for those seeking a plug-and-play solution.
The new name, Moltbot, is itself a statement. Molting is how a lobster grows by shedding its old shell. The project has undergone a similar rapid maturation, learning hard lessons about trademarks, security, and the dark side of viral fame. Despite the turbulence, development continues actively. For the curious, documentation and a critical security checklist are available, but trying it on a secondary computer is a wise precaution. The entire saga underscores a simple lesson for developers: carefully check your project name against existing trademarks.
(Source: CNET)
