On March 13, Bloomberg ran a piece centered on China's burgeoning 'lobster-raising' phenomenon, which refers to the widespread installation of the AI agent OpenClaw. This trend has transformed China into the world's premier testing ground for AI agents, potentially paving the way for the nation to assume a pioneering role. In contrast, AI agents from US companies are inching forward slowly in terms of user acquisition.

OpenClaw boasts the capability to autonomously execute a multitude of tasks, ranging from composing social media posts to carrying out financial analyses. This has ignited a nationwide frenzy in China, with students, office employees, and even seniors eager to give it a whirl. Such enthusiasm has given rise to a plethora of compatible products, fueling the growth of AI agents within the country. Concurrently, prominent Chinese tech firms have rolled out their own iterations of OpenClaw, including KimiClaw and AutoClaw, further propelling its widespread adoption.

Nonetheless, OpenClaw's operation necessitates broad access to personal data and enables external communication, raising concerns over security vulnerabilities like data breaches and system manipulation. Despite these apprehensions, China is wholeheartedly embracing the AI craze sweeping across the nation, with no fewer than four local governments offering subsidies to spur its progression.