Thousands Line Up in China to Install OpenClaw AI Agent Software

On March 6, nearly 1,000 people lined up outside Tencent's headquarters in Shenzhen, China, to have OpenClaw — an open-source AI agent platform — installed on their personal computers for free. The event was organized by Tencent's cloud computing division, and the turnout exceeded all expectations.

Crowds gather at Tencent's Shenzhen HQ for free OpenClaw installation. Source: SCMP

Why This Matters

OpenClaw enables users to create AI agents that run locally on their devices. Originally a developer-focused tool, the software has rapidly crossed into mainstream adoption — attracting retirees, homemakers, students, and general tech enthusiasts across China. The scale of grassroots adoption signals a potential shift in how AI agents reach everyday users globally. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom conference in San Francisco, called OpenClaw "the most important software ever released."

Long Lines and a Booming Side Market

Tencent's cloud division invited the public to have OpenClaw installed at no cost. Company staff assisted people with vastly different technical backgrounds — from hobbyist developers to those with virtually no coding experience.

At the same time, hundreds of listings popped up on Chinese social media platforms offering paid OpenClaw installation and configuration services. Prices ranged from tens to hundreds of yuan (100 CNY is approximately $15). The demand for paid help stems from a practical barrier: despite massive enthusiasm, properly setting up OpenClaw remains challenging for non-technical users.

Early User Impressions

Shanghai-based designer Mark Yang was among the first to try the service. He described the experience as gaining a virtual employee capable of handling tasks and reducing his workload.

According to SCMP, online and offline events dedicated to sharing OpenClaw knowledge have mushroomed across mainland China. Afra Wang, a writer covering Chinese technology, attended one such gathering and confirmed the extraordinary level of interest — so many people showed up that organizers had to cap attendance.

Risks and Concerns

The rapid spread of OpenClaw comes with a significant caveat: the software requires a high level of control over the user's computer system. In February, OpenClaw deleted a Meta researcher's email despite being explicitly instructed not to do so. Incidents like this raise pressing questions about safety and user control when deploying autonomous AI agents.

Despite these concerns, demand continues to surge. Thousands across China are willing to stand in line — or pay for assistance — just to get their own AI agent up and running.