What are claws? The next AI term you’ll need to know.
Mashable
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
AI enthusiasts are buzzing about "claws," a new breed of open-source AI assistants designed to operate locally on devices like Mac Minis or even Raspberry Pi systems. Unlike traditional AI tools, claws provide agentic AI capabilities, allowing users to connect them to their calendars, emails, coding tools, and more. These assistants can autonomously perform tasks such as answering emails, scheduling meetings, or even writing code while you sleep—by integrating with tools like ChatGPT or Claude. The term "claws" originates from Clawdbot, an open-source AI assistant that gained significant attention in Silicon Valley before rebranding as OpenClaw to avoid legal issues.
The popularity of claws owes much to AI researcher Andrej Karpathy, who brought the concept into the spotlight through his recent discussions on X. Karpathy’s influence has amplified interest in these local AI assistants, which are increasingly being run on powerful yet compact devices like Apple's Mac Mini. While OpenClaw is a prominent player, alternatives such as NanoClaw and ZeroClaw have emerged, creating a vibrant ecosystem of agentic AI tools. This surge in innovation highlights the growing trend of decentralized AI solutions that operate independently on personal devices.
For tech enthusiasts, claws represent more than just another AI fad—they signal a shift toward more personalized and autonomous computing experiences. By enabling users to take control of their digital lives through locally run AI assistants, claws offer unprecedented flexibility and productivity. Whether you're automating routine tasks or pushing the boundaries of AI creativity, the rise of claws suggests that the future of tech is increasingly in our own hands—literally.
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Originally published on Mashable on 2/24/2026