708: Spicy Mode

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this week's "Spicy Mode" episode of Grumpy Old Geeks proves that while things change, they mostly stay the same—just with more AI and less common sense. First up in FOLLOW UP, some poor schmoe automaker actually got a federal exemption for automated vehicles. Because what could possibly go wrong when we let robots drive?Then we dive headfirst into IN THE NEWS, a veritable dumpster fire of artificial intelligence. Illinois, bless their hearts, decided to ban AI therapists, probably because even they realized a chatbot won't fix your existential dread. But don't worry, older Americans are totally embracing these digital companions, like ElliQ, your friendly AI sidekick for "happier, healthier aging." Meanwhile, Perplexity is still allegedly scraping websites like it's 1999, and Apple's cooking up a "stripped-down" AI chatbot, probably because all their good AI talent bailed. Even Wells Fargo is deploying AI agents, so now your bank can deny you a loan with even less human empathy. And naturally, the US government is totally on board with OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic—because handing over the keys to Skynet to federal agencies sounds like a super solid plan. Oh, and of course, Grok now has a "spicy" NSFW mode, because what else would you expect? And just when you thought it couldn't get any dumber, Microsoft is "cautiously onboarding" Grok 4 after some minor Hitler concerns. Tesla, in a move that surprises absolutely no one, shut down Dojo, their AI training supercomputer. If you’re still using ChatGPT for your deepest, darkest secrets, be warned: a single poisoned document could leak all your data. Even the Swedish Prime Minister is apparently relying on ChatGPT for decision-making. In other news that doesn't involve robots taking over, Amazon split up Wondery and laid off a bunch of folks, and Microsoft's Windows XP Crocs are an actual thing. Yes, really.For MEDIA CANDY, prepare for a dose of nostalgia and existential dread. We're talking Rogue One, Nate Bargatze's stand-up specials (because sometimes you just need to laugh), Portlandia, Craig Ferguson, and the OG AI movie, Colossus: The Forbin Project. Netflix keeps canceling everything we love, including Fubar, but hey, The Sandman Season 2 and Wednesday are still here. And just to prove that Hollywood is still stuck in the past, Universal Pictures is threatening to sue Big Tech for stealing their movies for AI. Over in APPS & DOODADS, Google's smart home ecosystem is apparently crumbling, because who needs a cohesive system when you can have a dozen disconnected devices? But hey, OpenAI released a free GPT model you can run on your laptop, so now you can build your own personal AI overlord right at home. And finally, THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE brings us Gravity Falls books and a new Star Wars movie with Matt Smith and Ryan Gosling. Oh, and Weird Science is on Netflix, because sometimes you just need to relive the 80s and pretend AI hasn't completely taken over. So grab your flannel, cue up some Oingo Boingo, and enjoy the show, you analog dinosaurs.Sponsors:Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordDeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Show notes at https://gog.show/708FOLLOW UPFirst U.S. automaker gets federal automated vehicle exemptionIN THE NEWSIllinois is the first state to ban AI therapistsOlder Americans turning to AI-powered chatbots for companionshipMeet ElliQ - Your AI sidekick for happier, healthier agingPerplexity is allegedly scraping websites it's not supposed to, againApple reportedly has a 'stripped-down' AI chatbot to compete with ChatGPT in the worksApple's Real AI Crisis Isn't Siri, But the Talent It's Losing to RivalsWells Fargo Deploys AI Agents Business-WideUS adds OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic to list of approved AI vendors for federal agenciesElevenLabs launches its own royalty-free AI music serviceSurprising no one, Grok's image and video generator now has an NSFW 'spicy' modeMicrosoft is cautiously onboarding Grok 4 following Hitler concernsTesla shuts down Dojo, the AI training supercomputer that Musk said would be key to full self-drivingA Single Poisoned Document Could Leak ‘Secret’ Data Via ChatGPTPrime Minister of Sweden Dragged for Admitting He Uses ChatGPT to Help Him Make DecisionsAmazon splits up the Wondery podcast network and lays off about 110 employeesMicrosoft’s Windows XP Crocs are no jokeMEDIA CANDYRogue OneNate Bargatze: The Greatest Average AmericanNate Bargatze: The Tennessee KidYour Friend, Nate BargatzePortlandia"I'm So Happy" | Craig Ferguson (Full Stand-up Special)Colossus: The Forbin ProjectStar Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1 Comic-Con Teaser‘Fubar’ Canceled By Netflix After 2 SeasonsThe Sandman Season 228 Years LaterWednesdayUniversal Pictures to Big Tech: We’ll Sue If You Steal Our Movies For AIAPPS & DOODADSGoogle’s Smart Home Ecosystem Is CrumblingOpenAI releases a free GPT model that can run on your laptopHow to set up and run OpenAI's 'gpt-oss-20b' open weight model locally on your MacAT THE LIBRARYComedy Comedy Comedy Drama: A Memoir by Bob OdenkirkSpotify's premium audiobook feature launches in the USTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingGravity Falls: Journal 3Gravity Falls: The Book of Bill‘Star Wars: Starfighter’: Matt Smith Lands Villain Role In New Lucasfilm Pic Starring Ryan GoslingWeird ScienceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.