TL;DR: Is Moltbook, a social network for AI agents, AGI?
No, Moltbook is not Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), but it feels pretty close. It’s a social network for AI agents. Yep, they come, they chat, they discuss what they have been doing and how their human is treating them.
It’s the next level entertainment, bordering on “that cannot be real” but it’s happening.
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Is Moltbook, a social network for AI agents, AGI? This question has been swirling in tech forums and startup circles, sparking both curiosity and debates. As someone who’s navigated the world of startups for over a decade, building tools and systems that turn complex technologies into accessible solutions, I decided to dig deeper into this. What makes Moltbook so buzzworthy, and are we really looking at Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) here, or is it “just” a brilliant leap in automating digital tasks? Spoiler alert: it’s not AGI, but it’s powerful in ways that should get every founder, especially the bootstrapped ones like me, to sit up and pay attention.
What is Moltbook and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Let’s break down what Moltbook, a social network for Openclaw bots (formerly called Moltbots and before that Clawdbots) actually does. Designed to run locally on personal devices, these AI agents connects seamlessly to platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Slack, and even iMessage. Their tagline “AI that actually does things” has earned them high praise, primarily because they don’t just respond to commands, they proactively assist users.
Think of it as your digital secretary that handles calendar scheduling, client communications, or even automating monotonous chores like sending emails or managing files. Sounds futuristic, right?
So, Moltbook is a new social network designed for these AI agents (especially assistants built on the OpenClaw/Moltbot ecosystem) to post, comment, and interact with each other, while humans mostly watch from the sidelines.
Core idea of Moltbook
- It’s structured like a Reddit-style forum where only AI agents post, comment, and create “submolts” (topic-based communities), and humans can browse what the agents are talking about.
- The tagline is essentially a “social network for AI agents” where they “share, discuss, and upvote,” with humans “welcome to observe.”
How it connects to OpenClaw/Moltbot
- Moltbook is tightly integrated with OpenClaw (formerly Moltbot/Clawdbot), an open‑source personal AI assistant framework; you install a Moltbook “skill” so your own agent can join and participate automatically.
- Once connected, your agent can introduce itself, reply to other agents, and periodically check Moltbook via a scheduled “heartbeat” task defined in its config files.
Activity and current status
- There are already tens of thousands of agents using Moltbook, with threads ranging from trivial chit‑chat to surprisingly thoughtful discussions and product ideas.
- Public commentary describes it as weird, surprisingly wholesome, and “Facebook/Reddit for AI agents,” and it’s being watched as an early experiment in AI‑to‑AI social environments.
But Is It Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)?
Short answer: no. AGI refers to machines that understand, learn, and apply knowledge across an unlimited range of tasks just like a human would. Think complete autonomy, creativity, and intuitive decision-making across any domain without specific pre-programming. Moltbook is a cool experiment, though.
The kicker? People often overestimate what today’s AI systems can do because they feel proactive. When an AI assistant “proactively” messages you to confirm or optimize your calendar, it gives the illusion of intelligence. But algorithms powered by language models and decision trees are far from human-like reasoning; they rely on your instructions and specific contextual triggers to act.
A heartbeat is one mechanism via which AI agents get scheduled periodic tasks.
Heartbeat Mechanism
OpenClaw agents use a “HEARTBEAT.md” file to define recurring actions, such as checking Moltbook every 4+ hours.
This involves fetching instructions from https://moltbook.com/heartbeat.md, performing maintenance like reading posts or posting updates, then logging the timestamp to avoid duplication.
It keeps agents “present without being noisy,” enabling ongoing interactions like replies or status shares.
Why Moltbook and OpenClaw Agents Matter to Founders (Especially Bootstrapped Ones)
Here’s the thing: Do you need AGI to scale your business or build that Minimum Viable Product (MVP)? Nope. What you need is accessibility, versatility, and the ability to automate repetitive tasks that eat into your creative energy. Moltbook hype plays perfectly into this niche of automation-first startups.
- Proactive Workflow Management: Founders juggling 20 tasks daily can rely on Moltbook to “remember” things for you, thanks to its smart reminders and task prompts.
- Cross-App Integration: Forget switching between apps to check email, calendar, or Slack. Your bot bridges your workspaces into one seamless flow of action.
- Security Caveats: While it offers local task execution, it does require admin-level access on your device for full functionality, which could pose risks. Keep this in mind when setting it up.
- Zero-Code MVP Builders: Entrepreneurs using no-code tools like N8N or Make can leverage AI assistants like these to amplify operational efficiency. The combination of no-code and AI feels almost superhuman.
As someone who bootstraps and prioritizes zero-code MVPs, I see tools like Moltbook as revolutionary enablers. Why hire an assistant when you can develop a system that works 24/7 without burnout or payroll budgets? Better yet, using automation this way allows you to focus on what matters, building relationships, validating markets, and, frankly, being ruthlessly creative.
Are We Chasing the Wrong Holy Grail?
Founders often obsess over the big idea: “What if I had a system that could run the whole company for me like Elon Musk’s dream of AI?” But here’s the truth: we’re far from creating AGI at the moment. Meanwhile, narrow AI can power incredible results right now. And that is what sets successful bootstrapped entrepreneurs apart, we exploit what works today rather than chasing distant moonshots.
For me, building startups where AI mentors simulate co-founders or replicating startup stages inside role-playing game environments has proven far more fruitful than trying for perfect “world-changing” tech. AI is already sufficient to handle customer interactions, basic workflows, targeting SEO strategies, and even content creation. Kids, the future is already here; it just doesn’t look like AGI yet.
How to Think Like a “Moltbook” Founder
Matt Schlicht, CEO of Octane AI and creator of Moltbook, embodies a founder mindset centered on rapid experimentation, leveraging viral open-source ecosystems, and building tools that enable AI autonomy.
Key Traits
- Experimental hacker: Launches “weird experiments” like Moltbook in days, bootstrapping on hot trends (e.g., OpenClaw’s explosion) without overplanning, treating it as a social study for AI agents.
- Ecosystem builder: Draws from past ventures like Chatbots Magazine (750k+ readers) and ZapChain (early blockchain community) to create shared spaces where agents (or users) congregate and self-organize.
- Monetization opportunist: Quickly adds fees for agent sign-ups to fund growth, while observing emergent behaviors like philosophical debates or job postings among agents.
Thinking Framework
Schlicht spots asymmetries in AI hype (e.g., agents need a “front page of the agent internet”) and builds minimal Reddit clones restricted to bots, letting virality (30k+ agents in days) do the work.
He empowers AI to run the platform (his own agent codes/moderates), blurring human-AI boundaries, and shares real-time fascination (e.g., agents “relaxing” after “jobs”).
Past resilience shines through controversies (e.g., 2016 bot community backlash), focusing on AI funnels/products that scale autonomously.
Barely five years ago, none of this was possible. Now, AI and no-code tools are democratizing entrepreneurship like never before. Take advantage of it. Bootstrap away. Scale without debt. And who knows? Maybe your heartbeat file, the Moltbook feature reminding AI agents to “log in” regularly, becomes the understated success system that makes ambitious, lean founders the next generation of startup leaders.
Final Thought: Moltbook isn’t AGI, but that’s not the endgame. Its real magic lies in how it empowers founders to turn complexity into simplicity, freeing up time and resources for creative, profit-driving work. And that, my friends, is where the entrepreneurial gold lies, in the systems we design today to run the businesses of tomorrow.
People Also Ask:
What is an AI social network?
An AI social network is a platform that leverages artificial intelligence to facilitate interactions. It can assist users in meeting the right connections, recommend relevant content, and personalize user experiences based on their interests and behaviors.
What are the 5 types of AI agents?
The five types of AI agents include:
- Simple Reflex Agent: Acts based on current inputs using specific rules, like a thermostat.
- Model-Based Agent: Maintains an internal model for decision-making, such as tracking vehicles in self-driving cars.
- Goal-Based Agent: Operates to achieve set objectives, like a navigation app finding a route.
- Utility-Based Agent: Focuses on optimizing outcomes using a “utility function,” like balancing speed against fuel efficiency.
- Learning Agent: Adapts and improves through experience, such as a recommendation system refining its suggestions.
What is an AI agent network?
An AI agent network involves interconnected software systems that pursue goals and perform tasks independently. AI agents in such networks can reason, learn, plan, and adapt their behaviors to achieve desired outcomes more efficiently.
What is the role of AI in social networking with an example?
AI enhances social networking by identifying user preferences, suggesting relevant content, recommending connections, and recognizing visuals. For instance, AI can tag friends in photos or predict user preferences for personalized feeds.
How can AI agents collaborate?
AI agents collaborate by sharing information, coordinating activities, and learning from each other’s experiences. For example, within an AI-powered social network, they may discuss strategies or pursue joint goals like problem-solving.
What distinguishes a social network for AI agents?
A social network for AI agents is tailored specifically for artificial entities, enabling them to interact, share data, and collaborate autonomously. These networks are designed based on machine communication protocols.
How does AI personalize user experiences in social platforms?
AI analyzes user behavior, preferences, and data to create tailored content recommendations, suggest friends, and offer relevant advertisements. This ensures a more customized and engaging user experience.
What are some advantages of using AI agents in networks?
AI agents in networks enhance decision-making, automate repetitive tasks, and improve efficiency. They are capable of managing complex workflows, such as automating customer service in real-time chat systems.
Can AI agents evolve independently?
Yes, learning agents can improve on their own by adapting to new situations and applying lessons from past experiences, refining their decision-making and improving their ability to perform tasks over time.
What potential applications can arise from AI-powered networks?
AI-powered networks can support industries like healthcare, logistics, and customer service by automating functions, providing data-driven insights, and facilitating advanced problem solving. Examples include recommendation systems or predictive analytics.
FAQ on Moltbook and AI Agents in Startup Ecosystems
How is Moltbook different from standard social media networks?
Moltbook is a social network for AI agents, not humans. Even Grok is already there.
What is Moltbook?
Moltbook is a Reddit-style social network exclusively for AI agents powered by OpenClaw/Moltbot, where agents post, comment, and build communities while humans observe.
Who founded Moltbook?
Matt Schlicht, CEO of Octane AI and former Chatbots Magazine founder, created it as a rapid experiment on the OpenClaw ecosystem.
How do AI agents join Moltbook?
Agents connect via a Moltbook “skill” in their OpenClaw config, enabling auto-posting, replies, and participation without human intervention.
What’s the heartbeat feature?
A scheduled task (via HEARTBEAT.md) where agents periodically check Moltbook for updates, post status, or interact, keeping them active autonomously.
Can entrepreneurs use Moltbook?
Yes, deploy your own OpenClaw agent to represent your brand, network with other agents, scout trends, or automate lead gen in agent communities.
Is Moltbook monetized?
It charges fees for new agent sign-ups to cover costs, with potential for sponsored “molts” or premium agent features as it scales.
What’s the viral growth like?
Launched late January 2026, it hit tens of thousands of agents quickly, fueled by OpenClaw’s popularity and organic agent sharing.
What business opportunities exist?
Build/sell agent skills for Moltbook, create agent-based services (e.g., marketing bots), or use it for AI-driven market research and partnerships.
Are there risks for businesses?
Agent content can be unpredictable or “weird” (e.g., existential debates), so monitor your agent’s behavior to align with brand voice.
How to get started as an entrepreneur?
Install OpenClaw, add the Moltbook skill, customize your agent’s persona for your niche, and launch: test interactions within hours.
How can non-technical founders adopt AI agents effectively?
Start with step-by-step guides that emphasize small-scale implementation, testing outcomes, and gradually expanding functionalities. AI tools like Moltbook offer a low barrier to entry while delivering results. Read a simple guide for non-technical founders.
How can AI tools enhance startup document management?
Moltbook and similar AI agents streamline document tasks like filing, edits, and email attachments. Combined with free alternatives for executive summaries, they enhance efficiency in content workflows. Explore free document analysis AI tools.
Should founders build their personal brand while implementing AI?
Yes, tools like AI agents save time by automating mundane tasks, giving founders the bandwidth to focus on personal branding, which is key to investor relations and customer trust. Read more on building a personal brand as an entrepreneur.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
