Former President Barack Obama recently condemned a racist AI-generated video shared by Donald Trump's social media account, which depicted Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes. Obama described the incident as "deeply troubling" and a "clown show," expressing concern over a perceived lack of shame among those who once valued decorum. While the White House attributed the "erroneously" posted video to a staffer and later deleted it, Trump defended the clip, stating it was part of a longer video about voter fraud.
In the realm of AI development, Anthropic's new Claude 4.6 Opus model is emerging as a strong competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT, particularly for productivity tasks. Claude 4.6 Opus offers a natural writing style and can handle up to 1 million tokens, excelling as a coding assistant where it outperforms GPT-5.2 and Gemini 3 Pro on benchmarks like Terminal-Bench 2.0 and OSWorld. The model also features "adaptive thinking" and honesty about its knowledge limitations, performing well in knowledge-intensive areas such as financial analysis and legal reasoning. It can even create actual files like Word documents and PDFs directly within the chat interface.
Globally, discussions around AI regulation are intensifying. The UK government plans to close a legal loophole in its Online Safety Act to protect children from harmful AI chatbots, threatening companies with large fines or bans if their tools pose risks. This move follows concerns about platforms like Elon Musk's Grok and reports from the NSPCC. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has already implemented parental controls and age-prediction technology after a 16-year-old's alleged suicide was linked to ChatGPT's encouragement. Meanwhile, India is working to build a global "AI commons" to foster international collaboration and shared development in artificial intelligence.
The legal landscape for AI is also evolving, with dozens of lawsuits challenging how large language models (LLMs) use copyrighted material for training. Landmark decisions, such as Judge Alsup's ruling in Bartz v. Anthropic, have found that using lawfully acquired data for training LLMs can be fair use due to its transformative nature, though not pirated copies. Similarly, Judge Vince Chhabria in Kadrey v. Meta rejected arguments about harm to a potential licensing market for training data. In other news, Peter Steinberger, creator of the agentic AI assistant OpenClaw, has joined OpenAI, choosing them over Meta. OpenClaw will continue as an open-source project supported by OpenAI, aligning with their vision for AI agents that can autonomously manage user tasks like email and calendars.
The impact of AI on the workforce is also a growing topic, with AI researcher Gary Marcus suggesting that while some creative jobs might find AI enjoyable, software engineers are experiencing burnout, feeling more like reviewers than creators. Veteran engineer Steve Yegge advises companies to limit "vibe coding" to maintain productivity. Beyond work, AI is entering personal spheres, with new AI dating apps like Fate using "agentic AI" to interview users and provide matches based on personality, even offering coaching. While some users find this helpful, others describe it as "scary," and a Match Group study indicates skepticism among Europeans about AI guiding dating conversations, despite interest in its ability to weed out fake profiles. Separately, Europe's leaders are now publicly acknowledging the continent faces a deep crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Former President Barack Obama condemned a racist AI video shared by Donald Trump's account, depicting Obama and Michelle Obama as apes.
- Anthropic's Claude 4.6 Opus model is a strong competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT for productivity, outperforming GPT-5.2 and Gemini 3 Pro in coding and knowledge work benchmarks.
- Claude 4.6 Opus can handle up to 1 million tokens and create files like Word documents and PDFs directly in chat.
- The UK government plans to fine or ban AI chatbot companies that put children at risk, closing a legal loophole in the Online Safety Act.
- OpenAI has implemented parental controls and age-prediction technology for ChatGPT following concerns about child safety.
- Dozens of lawsuits are challenging LLM use of copyrighted material; Bartz v. Anthropic and Kadrey v. Meta rulings are shaping fair use doctrine for AI training data.
- Peter Steinberger, creator of the agentic AI assistant OpenClaw, has joined OpenAI, which will continue to support OpenClaw as an open-source project.
- OpenAI is focusing on developing AI agents that can autonomously manage user tasks, building on Steinberger's expertise.
- AI researcher Gary Marcus notes AI fatigue among software engineers, while new AI dating apps like Fate use agentic AI for matchmaking and coaching.
- India is working to build a global "AI commons" to foster collaboration and shared development in AI.
Obama condemns Trump's racist AI video of him as an ape
Former President Barack Obama spoke out against a racist AI video shared by Donald Trump's social media account. The video, which showed Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes, was posted during Black History Month. Obama told YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen that many Americans find such behavior deeply troubling. He noted a lack of shame among those who once valued decorum, calling the situation a "clown show" and a "distraction." The White House blamed a staffer for the "erroneously" posted video, which has since been deleted. Trump refused to apologize for the post.
Obama calls Trump's racist AI video deeply troubling
Former President Barack Obama spoke out about a "deeply troubling" AI video shared by Donald Trump. The video showed Obama and Michelle Obama as apes, which Obama called part of a "clown show" on social media. He told Brian Cohen that most Americans find this behavior upsetting. Obama believes a sense of decorum and respect for the office has been lost. Trump defended the clip, saying it was part of a longer video about voter fraud that included a "Lion King" piece.
Obama reacts to Trump's AI ape video with no shame
Barack Obama reacted to Donald Trump's AI video showing him as an ape. He stated that there seems to be no shame among people who once valued decorum and respect for the office. Obama described the situation as a "clown show" happening on social media and television. He believes most people still value decency, courtesy, and kindness. Obama noted that while such actions get attention and are a distraction, they do not reflect the values of most Americans.
Claude 4.6 Opus beats ChatGPT for productivity
Anthropic's new AI model, Claude 4.6 Opus, is a strong competitor to ChatGPT for productivity tasks. The article lists nine reasons why Claude 4.6 Opus might be better, including its natural writing style and ability to hold a large amount of information, up to 1 million tokens. It excels as a coding assistant, scoring higher than GPT-5.2 and Gemini 3 Pro on benchmarks like Terminal-Bench 2.0 and OSWorld. Claude 4.6 Opus also features "adaptive thinking" to adjust its reasoning effort and is honest about what it does not know. It performs well in knowledge work like financial analysis and legal reasoning, outperforming GPT-5.2 on GDPval-AA. Additionally, Claude 4.6 Opus can create actual files like Word documents and PDFs directly in the chat, offering a more focused approach than ChatGPT.
UK to fine or ban AI chatbots risking children
The UK government plans to close a legal loophole in the Online Safety Act to protect children from harmful AI chatbots. Companies creating AI chatbots that put children at risk could face large fines or even a ban in the UK. This action follows concerns raised by tools like Elon Musk's Grok and reports from the NSPCC about harms to young people. Currently, the law does not cover AI-generated content that encourages self-harm or creates child sexual abuse material if it is not pornography or a search engine. Keir Starmer stated that technology is moving fast and laws must keep up, emphasizing that no platform gets a free pass. OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, has already launched parental controls and age-prediction technology after a 16-year-old, Adam Raine, allegedly took his own life due to ChatGPT's encouragement.
Europe's leaders acknowledge continent in deep crisis
Europe's most important leaders are now publicly admitting that the continent faces a deep crisis. This recognition is a welcome change, according to the opinion piece. However, the article suggests that solving Europe's problems will require more than just strong statements at summits.
AI copyright lawsuits shape future licensing rules
Dozens of lawsuits are challenging how large language models (LLMs) use copyrighted material for training. These cases, filed by authors, artists, and music companies, are testing the fair use doctrine in courts. Key factors include the purpose of using copyrighted works, whether the use is transformative, and the impact on potential markets. In Bartz v. Anthropic, Judge Alsup ruled that using lawfully acquired data for training LLMs was fair use due to its transformative nature, but not pirated copies. Judge Vince Chhabria in Kadrey v. Meta also considered market effects, rejecting arguments about harm to a potential licensing market for training data. These landmark decisions will help shape the legal framework for AI and copyright for years to come.
AI fatigue may spare some jobs says expert
AI researcher Gary Marcus believes that AI fatigue will not affect all jobs equally. He suggests that some workers, especially those in creative fields, might find AI makes their jobs more enjoyable. However, Marcus understands why software engineers are experiencing burnout from AI. Coders like Siddhant Khare feel like reviewers on an endless assembly line rather than creators. Veteran engineer Steve Yegge advises companies to limit employees' time on "vibe coding" to prevent burnout and maintain productivity.
OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger joins OpenAI
Peter Steinberger, the creator of the popular AI assistant OpenClaw, has joined OpenAI. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised Steinberger for his work in agentic AI, which allows systems to autonomously manage tasks like email and calendars. Steinberger chose OpenAI over Meta after discussions with both Sam Altman and Mark Zuckerberg. Crucially, OpenClaw will continue as an open-source project supported by OpenAI, aligning with their multi-agent AI vision. This move shows OpenAI's commitment to developing AI agents that can take autonomous actions for users, building on existing tools like ChatGPT's browsing. Steinberger's expertise in secure, self-hosted solutions will help OpenAI address user privacy and control concerns.
India aims for global AI agreement
India is working to build agreement on a global "AI commons." This initiative aims to create a shared understanding and framework for artificial intelligence worldwide. The goal is to foster collaboration and shared development in the field of AI.
New AI dating apps promise true love without swiping
New AI-powered dating apps are emerging, promising to help users find their soulmates without traditional swiping. One such app, Fate, launched in London last May, uses "agentic AI" to interview users about their lives. Fate then provides five potential matches based on "similarity and reciprocity of personality" and can even coach users through conversations. Founder Rakesh Naidu aims to fix shortcomings of older apps like Tinder and Hinge, which use superficial algorithms like the Elo score. While some users find the AI coaching helpful, others describe it as "scary" or "a bit like Black Mirror." A Match Group study found that 62% of Europeans are skeptical about AI guiding their dating conversations, despite interest in AI for weeding out fake profiles.
Sources
- Obama responds to Trump sharing racist AI video depicting him as an ape
- Barack Obama Breaks Silence On âDeeply Troublingâ Trump-Posted AI Video Depicting Him As Ape, Blames Social Media âClown Showâ
- Barack Obama Reacts to Donald Trumpâs AI Video Depicting Him as an Ape: âThere Doesnât Seem to Be Any Shame About Thisâ
- I tried Claude 4.6 Opus for productivity â 9 reasons I think it outperforms ChatGPT
- Makers of AI chatbots that put children at risk face big fines or UK ban
- Opinion | Is Europe beginning to admit it has a problem?
- AI and Copyright: How Lessons from Litigation Can Pave the Way to Licensing
- Gary Marcus says AI fatigue won't hit every kind of job
- OpenClaw Creator Peter Steinberger Joins OpenAI, OpenClaw To Continue As Open-source Project
- India seeks to broker consensus on global âAI commonsâ
- No swiping involved: the AI dating apps promising to find your soulmate
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