The idea of using a Raspberry Pi to run OpenClaw makes no sense (www.theregister.com)

Raspberry Pi's shares surged by 90% this week, largely fueled by speculation that the popularity of the controversial AI agent OpenClaw could boost demand for their micro-computers, similar to the effect seen with Apple Mac Minis. OpenClaw, which is designed to assist users with tasks like managing emails and appointments, has raised security concerns among experts, who warn it operates more like "infostealer malware" than a safe personal assistant. Despite the initial excitement, the practical application of running OpenClaw on a Raspberry Pi faces challenges due to increased hardware costs and limitations in processing power. As Raspberry Pis have become less affordable—now priced over $200 for the latest model—experts suggest cloud-based solutions as a more secure and efficient alternative. While modified versions of OpenClaw can technically run on lower-end Raspberry Pis, they often require connectivity to external API services for necessary large language model (LLM) support. This raises questions about the wisdom of running such a potentially risky AI locally. Overall, while Raspberry Pi's stock surge highlights the hype around AI tools like OpenClaw, it also serves as a cautionary tale against the impracticality of using low-cost hardware for high-stakes AI applications.