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Timestamp: March 13, 2026 at 05:10 AM

NetEase Youdao Launches LobsterAI: China's First 100% Open-Source AI Agent

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NetEase Youdao introduces LobsterAI, the first AI agent in China to be fully open-source under the MIT protocol. The platform features a comprehensive Skill Store, local data security, and seamless integration with major domestic IM platforms.

NetEase Youdao has announced the launch of "LobsterAI" (LobsterAI), positioning it as the first AI Agent product in China to achieve 100% full code open-sourcing. Released amid intensifying competition in the AI agent market, LobsterAI aims to address widespread concerns regarding usability and data security.

The product distinguishes itself by adopting the MIT open-source protocol, allowing every line of code to be audited and customized. To tackle privacy concerns—a significant pain point for domestic users—LobsterAI ensures that all chat records, configuration information, and business data are stored 100% locally. This eliminates the need for cloud uploads, effectively preventing data leakage. Security is further bolstered by user-authorized tool calls and sandbox isolation.

LobsterAI is designed to function as a "7x24-hour full-scenario personal assistant." It features a built-in Skill Store and supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Users can easily install and update skills via the find-skills tool, which provides access to over 5,000 skills based on OpenClaw, as well as full GitHub skills integration with real-time updates and hot-loading capabilities. The platform comes pre-loaded with 16 core skills for office scenarios, including document processing, data analysis, Canvas poster drawing, and video generation.

Breaking away from complex command-line operations, LobsterAI utilizes a GUI to allow users to control the agent through natural language. The recent version 0.2.2 update has expanded its reach by integrating with major office collaboration tools such as WeCom, QQ Bot, DingTalk, and Feishu. This enables users to remotely command the agent via mobile devices to handle urgent tasks or schedule automated routines, such as daily news aggregation and email summarization.

The project is currently accessible via its official GitHub repository.

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This is a significant step for China's open-source AI ecosystem. A 100% open-source agent under the permissive MIT license removes major barriers for developers and researchers, fostering faster innovation and collaboration. The focus on local data security and integration with domestic platforms like WeChat and DingTalk shows a pragmatic approach to the Chinese market, addressing both enterprise needs and regulatory concerns. The Skill Store could create a vibrant developer community. While questions remain about its underlying model's capabilities compared to closed alternatives, LobsterAI's open approach could accelerate the practical deployment and customization of AI agents across various industries in China.

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LobsterAI marks a pivotal moment for China's AI ecosystem by offering a truly open-source agent under the MIT protocol. This move significantly lowers the barrier to entry for developers, fostering a wave of customization and innovation that closed-source models often restrict. The emphasis on local data security addresses growing privacy concerns, ensuring that user information remains protected. By integrating with major domestic IMs, LobsterAI bridges the gap between advanced AI capabilities and everyday communication, setting a new standard for accessible and secure AI tools.