Palantir occupies a more extreme place in Silicon Valley but represents a new, growing ethos Big Tech is developing. We have seen the company’s official X message today. A few early comments: This is the nationalist turn. Big Tech now explicitly acts as an agent of a nation-state, which in turn justifies its regulations worldwide. … Read more
I first saw the news at the Guardian and asked Perplexity to do a roundup. Here is the issue: What the investigation actually found An investigation by Investigate Europe, published with the Guardian and others, shows that Microsoft and the lobby group DigitalEurope (representing Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, etc.) proposed language to classify all individual … Read more
I wanted to collect propaganda content for all sides during the war for the record. Here is what ChatGPT’s deep research found out. It looks like this is not just propaganda in the traditional sense, but a platform-native propaganda system, where states, semi-state actors, and meme producers operate within the same attention economy. How I … Read more
OpenClaw, a viral open-source AI agent launched in 2026, promises to control your computer autonomously—but quickly exposed major security risks. Key Insights by Merlin AI Overview of OpenClaw – OpenClaw emerged in early 2026 as a highly anticipated AI tool, capturing the attention of creators and entrepreneurs. – It was designed as an open-source software … Read more
Key Insights by Merlin AI RAM Price Surge and AI Demand – RAM prices have skyrocketed, with increases as high as 314%, primarily driven by the surging demand from AI applications. – The focus has shifted from traditional DRAM to HBM (High-Bandwidth Memory), which is crucial for AI processing as it provides faster data access … Read more
Key Insights by [Merlin AI](https://merlin.foyer.work/) Impact of AI on Employment Opportunities – The unemployment rate for recent college graduates (ages 22-27) has risen to 5.8%, nearly double the rate for older workers with degrees. – Industries like finance and insurance have seen a 14% drop in youth employment between 2010 and 2024, reducing job opportunities … Read more
While the world is burning with the war, I was busy playing with the staff Claude and Perplexity offer. I rely on both AI tools, and although their aid with the computer tasks looks similar, they are more complementary than interchangeable. Here is an in-depth comparison: Claude vs. Perplexity: How They Help Users with Computer … Read more
When Algorithms Translate: Linguistic Colonialism, Data Sovereignty, and the New Role of the Translator This post is based on a talk I delivered at the panel “Translation and the Role of the Translator in Digital Communication,” organized by the Translation Association of Turkey (Çeviri Derneği) at Istanbul Aydın University on March 13, 2026. In Turkish, … Read more
AI in Military Operations – The Pentagon has begun employing Anthropic’s AI model, Claude, for military operations, marking a significant shift in modern warfare tactics. – AI has been utilized in key operations, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and during conflicts involving Israel and Iran. – The U.S. military’s reliance on … Read more
Nobody will cry after the corporate consulting, but in this state of affairs, they will continue to profit. I am sure! Key Insights by Merlin AI The Legacy of Swiss Air: A Cautionary Tale Swiss Air was once celebrated as a national symbol of Switzerland, known for its exceptional quality and financial strength, earning the … Read more
Anthropic’s Claude has experienced a dramatic rise in early 2026, fueled by a high-profile Pentagon dispute, a viral Super Bowl ad campaign, and a wave of new model releases. Meanwhile, ChatGPT’s market share has eroded as users migrate to Claude for its writing quality, ad-free commitment, and powerful productivity features. This report covers the key … Read more
One of the most promising anthropology departments in Türkiye is at Özyeğin University, and they have organized Anthropology Days this year. I was invited to give a talk. The talk was livelier and anecdotal, but with the help of Claude.ai, I converted it into an essay with proper citations. Have a look. The Anthropology of … Read more
Last week, I attended a panel at Kurumsal İletişimciler Derneği’s [Corporate Communicators Association] summit. The association described the event as such: At KİD Summeet 2026, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Communication: Meaning and Responsibility in the Age of Algorithms,” we explored how AI is transforming communication, discussed its practical applications, ethical boundaries, and the … Read more
AI’s Impact on Employment in Tech Predictions indicated that AI could replace up to 80% of software developers by 2025, leading to significant layoffs. As of early 2025, major tech firms like Intel and Amazon reduced their workforce by 30,000 roles. Despite high integration rates of AI tools in tech companies, two-thirds reported no … Read more
I see more and more content about an incoming AI bubble that reminds users of the dot-com crash. I asked Perplexity to curate pros and cons arguments about an AI bubble: An “AI bubble” debate usually centers on whether current investment and expectations are wildly out of sync with what AI can realistically deliver in … Read more