On April 16, ClawCon Michigan brought nearly 3,000 claw-curious registrants to the Crisler Center. Students from across campus joined founders and builders from all over the state to learn about agentic AI. The free event, open to all, was organized and sponsored by the University of Michigan in partnership with the OpenClaw Foundation.
ClawCon represents a significant “open-source” counter-movement in the AI industry, focusing on empowering individuals to control their own personal AI agents rather than being entirely dependent on a small number of global, for-profit companies for their AI services.
OpenClaw, an open-source agentic framework designed to automate tasks using publicly available LLMs like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Kimi, took center stage at ClawCon. The first part of the event included live demos where participants could ask questions of OpenClaw experts, learn how to set up OpenClaw agents, learn about integrations, and see how students and professionals are using personal AI tools.
Attendees enjoyed complimentary ClawCon hats and stickers, lobster-themed décor, and a buffet featuring fresh lobster. More than 200 demos were submitted for the main event, including personal AI tools like Zo Computer and kiloAI, agent integration platforms such as AgentMail and OpenSwitchy, and new approaches to scientific discovery using decentralized agents. The event also featured educational projects from U-M and fresh ideas in full-stack AI development.
ClawCon also introduced the Agent-First Startup Challenge, sponsored by eLab Ventures. With $50,000 in funding up for grabs, founders submitted company data for judgment by a team of AI agents, presenting an alternative approach to startup funding and assessment. In the end, the grand prize went to Alisio and CEO Nishant Dixit.
A New Chapter for Agentic AI at Michigan
During the event, the University announced the launch of the Institute for Agentic Computing. This new institute focuses on research, responsible development, and deployment of agentic AI technology.
Kurt Skifstad, Dixon and Carol Doll Executive Director at the Center for Entrepreneurship and part of the institute’s leadership team, told The University Record, “The institute exists to make sure agentic AI systems are built openly, responsibly, and in service of problems that matter.”
ClawCon Michigan opened its doors to students and builders to experience the current landscape of agentic AI, regardless of their level of interest or expertise. It was a space to see real-world demos, ask questions, and honestly consider how these emerging technologies might fit into your academic journey, creative projects, or career goals.
Together, we explored practical applications, discussed challenges, and encouraged each other to form our own perspectives.
Ready to keep learning and connecting?
Want to stay involved? Follow @umcfe and @umichigan for updates on upcoming events, workshops, and resources. Visit mi-agentic.org to join U-M’s agentic computing community, whether you’re curious, want to build, or just want to stay informed.
Have questions or want to talk through ideas? Reach out to CFE anytime. We support every student, from any major, as you navigate new tech, build entrepreneurial skills, and shape your own path.