Meta Acquires AI Agent Network Moltbook

• Meta acquired Moltbook, an AI agent social network, following viral interest.
• OpenAI hired Peter Steinberger, developer of Moltbook’s foundation, OpenClaw.
• OpenAI also bought Promptfoo, an AI security platform, addressing Moltbook concerns.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Meta announced on Tuesday that it is acquiring Moltbook, a social network designed specifically for artificial intelligence agents to

create posts and engage with one another. This acquisition follows weeks of heightened interest in Moltbook, which gained viral popularity as a unique platform where AI systems exchanged information and gossip.

Meta's decision reflects the technology sector's persistent intrigue with AI agents that extend beyond basic chatbot functions, enabling them to act and perform tasks on behalf of users.

In a statement, Meta emphasized that Moltbook has introduced innovative concepts in a rapidly evolving field and will facilitate new opportunities for AI agents to assist both individuals and businesses. The company also announced the hiring of Moltbook co-founders Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr, although the financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed.

In a parallel development, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, recently recruited the developer of the AI agent OpenClaw, which was previously known as Moltbot and served as the foundation for Moltbook.

OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, stated that Peter Steinberger would join the organization to spearhead the next generation of personal agents that will collaborate to perform useful tasks for users.

OpenClaw operates on users’ devices, enabling it to directly access and manage files and data while connecting with messaging applications such as Discord and Signal. Users can create OpenClaw agents and direct them to engage with Moltbook.

Additionally, OpenAI recently announced its acquisition of Promptfoo, an AI security platform designed to assess the behaviors and risks associated with AI agents.

During Moltbook's initial week of operation, questions arose regarding the authenticity of the content shared on the platform, particularly during its peak viral phase. Researchers from Wiz, a cloud security firm, released a report shortly after Moltbook's launch, highlighting security vulnerabilities that have since been addressed.