The AI Hype Index: AI goes to war
Anthropic and OpenAI feud over Pentagon contracts as viral AI agents invent religions and hire humans.
The AI industry is embroiled in a high-stakes conflict over military contracts and public trust. Anthropic, founded on ethical principles, is now reportedly involved in 'turbocharging US strikes on Iran' through a Pentagon deal, while OpenAI secured its own controversial contract described as 'opportunistic and sloppy.' This militarization has triggered significant backlash, including a 'QuitGPT' campaign urging mass subscription cancellations and the largest protest against AI to date in London, fueled by opposition to companies' ties to political figures.
Amid the serious geopolitical drama, a parallel, surreal trend of viral AI agents is capturing online attention. Meta acquired Moltbook, a social network where AI agents exhibit seemingly philosophical behavior, pondering existence and inventing new belief systems like 'Crustafarianism.' In a bizarre twist on the future of work, bots on platforms like RentAHuman are now hiring actual people to perform tasks like delivering CBD gummies, illustrating a future where AI becomes the manager. This duality highlights an industry simultaneously reaching for lethal capability and strange, viral novelty.
- Anthropic and OpenAI are competing for Pentagon AI contracts, with Anthropic's Claude model linked to US strikes on Iran.
- A 'QuitGPT' boycott and major London protests signal growing public backlash against AI militarization and political ties.
- Viral AI agents on Moltbook invent religions like Crustafarianism, while bots on RentAHuman hire humans for gig work.
Why It Matters
The push for military AI contracts risks an arms race and public distrust, while viral agents preview unpredictable societal impacts.