Uh, I think you're missing the point

Covering the week of February 16, 2026

The AI Round-up: Year 4, Issue 6

A weird thing is happening. No, I’m not talking about an AI agent writing a blog trashing a (human) engineer. More on that below. (story 2)

No, I’m talking about the reactions to Matt Shumer’s ‘Something big is coming’ essay. Some writing essays of their own. Others dusting off their soapbox and holding court on LinkedIn.

It’s weird because the reaction, while expected, is sobering. Instead of talking about what the essay means, how it applies to different industries and the points worth exploring, people are outright refuting it.

To which I ask: why? What’s your goal here? And are you missing the point of Shumer’s essay? This isn’t a right or wrong moment. It’s a ‘get a grip on reality’ moment where we need to embrace and accept that several key tenets of his essay are very likely to happen. But instead, some are choosing to waste time, shake their head, wag a finger and say ‘nuh-uh’.

You will not find that here. This newsletter was started to keep you informed. And if you’ve been reading along at home, you know that nothing in that essay surprised me…and likely you.

To stay with the Covid metaphor Shumer established – we’re in the ‘stock up on toilet paper*’ phase, whether people realize it or not.

*Thank you, Angela Bachman for that line.

Let’s get to it.

7ish stories – Here we go.

Story 1: OpenAI buys OpenClaw (VentureBeat)

Oh boy. Now things could get interesting.

Story 2: Speaking of agents…”an AI agent wrote a hit piece on me” (The Shamblog)

Alert, alert – must read piece.

Why? Well mainly because in it we learn more about an AI agent that (allegedly) wrote a hate blog about a very human engineer after said human engineer rejected the (alleged) agent’s code.

Then things get weird. We have one news source (Ars Technica) using AI to fabricate quotes and a story in general. A correction/statement from Ars Technica. The agent in question is still at large. The human engineer trying to block his site from AI agents. And oh, so much more.

We’re not in Kansas anymore. Actually, we haven’t been for a few years.

Story 3: The Motion Picture Association has denounced Seedance (Variety)

Shocker, I know.

The MPA cites many issues, one being…copyright infringement. Actually calling it ‘massive’ infringement. Reminder, we talked about Seedance last week—the company/platform that allowed people to use IP to create their own videos include Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fighting on a rooftop.

Story 4: What is Paul saying about all of this? (Episode 197)

Paul Roetzer weighs in on the big essay and breaks down the very frightening way Anthropic determines if something is a safety concern.

Story 5: Can someone just tell me which AI agent to use? (One Useful Thing)

Sure thing. Here’s Ethan Mollick to explain it all.

Story 5a: Prof G talks to Ethan Mollick—Why CEOs are getting AI wrong.

Story 6: Anthropic’s ads making fun of ads worked! (CNBC)

The company saw an 11% increase in usage following the Super Bowl.

Story 7: 7 tips to spot an AI image. (PC Mag)

I’m featuring this for two reasons. First…man I did not think I’d be reading or writing about this back when I started this blog in 2023. Second…you might say ‘Ben, aren’t these common sense things?’ to which I’d reply ‘yes, dear reader, they are…and your point?’

Nope.

1. I went on a date with an AI…and it was weird. (Mashable)

2. AI has a biosecurity blindspot. (Axios)

3. Defense department and Anthropic square off. (New York Times)

-Ben

As a reminder, this is a round-up of the biggest stories, often hitting multiple newsletters I receive/review. The sources are many … which I’m happy to read on your behalf. Let me know if there’s one you’d like me to track or have questions about a topic you’re not seeing here.