OpenAI vs Anthropic: The AI War Escalates

OpenAI Lawsuit, Security Vulnerabilities, and the New Alliance Between Anthropic and XAI

Monday, May 18, 2026

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Hello, this weekly newsletter guides you through the most important new videos from a curated selection of AI and Coding YouTube channels. Each video gets a compact summary, plus a daily overview of the dominant topics. If interested, simply click the link below the summary.

This week was marked by the ongoing legal dispute between Elon Musk and OpenAI, which revealed profound insights into the company’s internal dynamics and strategic conflicts with Microsoft. Fireship provided a detailed analysis of the legal and technical aspects of the lawsuit, which could influence not only OpenAI’s future but also the entire AI industry. In parallel, a major supply-chain attack on the npm ecosystem was discussed, highlighting the vulnerability of open-source packages and the need for security measures like PNPM and Sentry.

Another central topic was the strategic alliance between Anthropic and Elon Musk’s XAI, characterized by a major computing power deal. This partnership could shift the dynamics in AI competition, particularly with regard to OpenAI’s dominance in Codex. Alex Finn discussed Elon Musk’s long-term strategies and the potential impact on AI tool development.

Beyond these major topics, there were also a series of videos focused on specific tools and workflows. Alex Finn demonstrated advanced integrations of Claude Code with tools like Linear and GitHub, which can significantly boost developer productivity. Additionally, local AI models and agents like Hermes and OpenClaw were compared, with Hermes preferred for its reliability and user-friendliness. Leon van Zyl also presented innovative applications of open-source tools like OpenCode and Honeyfree, which enable software projects to be planned and executed autonomously.

Overall, the week was characterized by a mix of major strategic developments and practical applications of AI tools, of interest to both developers and investors.

Niklas Steenfatt

No new videos in this period.

Fireship (4 new videos)

  • I can’t believe this trial is real…
    15.5.2026, 18:51:21

    The video summarizes the ongoing trial between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, as well as OpenAI and Microsoft. Musk is suing for 134 billion dollars, claiming that Altman and others transformed the originally non-profit OpenAI into a profitable company while betraying the original mission. The trial has brought numerous revelations, including internal emails showing Musk’s earlier attempts to take over OpenAI, as well as conflicts within the company. Both sides are portrayed as unreliable, with Musk’s chances of winning estimated as low. The trial could be decisive for the future of OpenAI and the AI industry as a whole.

    The video explicitly addresses OpenAI, Microsoft, and specific people such as Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, and Ilya Sutskever. It is more suitable for intermediate and advanced viewers, as it covers detailed background information and legal aspects.

  • A single PR just hijacked the NPM registry…
    14.5.2026, 17:39:11

    The video reports on a severe supply-chain attack on open-source packages in the npm ecosystem, in which over 100 packages with a combined download rate of more than 50 million times per week were compromised. The attack exploited a vulnerability in the Tanstack project’s release process by having an attacker create a pull request in a fork of the repository, which triggered the CI/CD workflow. By using the `pull_request_target` option, the attacker was able to inject malicious code into the shared cache of the CI server, which was later triggered by a legitimate merge. The malware used stolen npm publish tokens to release further compromised packages and spread to other systems, including infecting developer tools like GitHub and VS Code. The malware even contained a “dead man switch” that would delete the root directories of infected machines upon detection.

    To protect against such attacks, the video recommends using PNPM version 1 or higher, which offers features like “Minimum Release Age”, “Block Exotic Subdependencies”, and “Approved Builds” to block malicious packages. Additionally, Sentry is introduced as a tool for error handling in production, which works with an AI-powered agent to automatically investigate and fix issues.

    The video addresses specific tools such as PNPM, npm, GitHub Actions, and Sentry, and is aimed at intermediate to advanced users.

  • Every operating system concept in one video…
    7.5.2026, 17:32:34

    The video explains in detail how an operating system works from the moment the power button is pressed until shutdown. It starts with the bootloader, which loads the operating system, and then moves on to privilege rings, which separate the rights of the kernel and applications. Virtual memory is described as a system that allows multiple applications to run in parallel without interfering with each other. The kernel builds the file system, loads device drivers, and enables interrupts, which allow the system to respond to input. The kernel then starts the first process (PID1), which is the ancestor of all other processes. System calls allow applications to communicate with the kernel, and the scheduler manages CPU time for the many processes. Threads allow applications to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, and inter-process communication (IPC) allows different processes to communicate safely. Finally, the shutdown process is described, in which all processes are terminated and the system is shut down safely.

    The video addresses operating systems and their components in general, without naming specific tools or vendors, and is more suitable for intermediate or advanced viewers.

  • 732 bytes of Python just borked every Linux machine on earth…
    4.5.2026, 18:40:40

    The video addresses a critical security vulnerability in the Linux kernel, referred to as “copy fail” (CVE-2023-31431), which has existed since 2017 and was discovered by an AI tool. The vulnerability allows a local user to gain root access by writing four bytes into the page cache of a read-only file. All Linux distributions that have been updated since 2017 are affected. The vulnerability was exploited through a Python script that uses the ONC ESN protocol and the AF_AGL interface. Although the vulnerability is not remotely exploitable, systems are strongly urged to update. The video also mentions the role of AI in discovering security vulnerabilities and promotes Code Rabbit, an AI tool for improving code quality.

    The video explicitly addresses AI tools such as the AI agent tool used by Theori and Code Rabbit, and is intended for intermediate to advanced users.

Alex Finn (9 new videos)

  • Claude Code is 1000x better when you use this tool
    17.5.2026, 18:06:00

    The video presents an efficient workflow integration of Claude Code (or alternative vibe coding tools like Codeex, Cursor) with the Linear project management tool. Linear serves as a “second brain” by automatically organizing, prioritizing tasks (Issues), and linking them with GitHub. This enables seamless collaboration across different devices and AI agents, reduces manual planning, and boosts productivity. The creator demonstrates building a prompt library app where Claude Code processes tasks from Linear, generates code, and tests it independently. He also shows how GitHub branches are created for each task to simplify code overview and review. A bonus tip covers Slack integration for team updates. The video targets intermediate to advanced users of AI coding tools and explicitly covers Claude, Codeex, Cursor, Linear, and GitHub.

  • LIVE: GROK BUILD CLI IS ACTUALLY INCREDIBLE???
    15.5.2026, 20:24:28

    ### Video Summary

    This is a live stream session where the host discusses various aspects of selling Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) while testing the capabilities of Grock Build, a tool from XAI. The stream opens with a casual introduction encouraging viewers to participate and chat. The host talks about the importance of Twitter (X) for software sales and the necessity of building a community.

    He then discusses the three key factors that determine SaaS product success: distribution, network effects, and partnerships with government data. He emphasizes that a strong community and good sales are critical for success.

    A large portion of the video is dedicated to demonstrating and testing Grock Build, XAI’s new tool. The host conducts several benchmark tests, including creating a 3D first-person shooter, an Elon Musk animation, and a 3D city flythrough. He evaluates the results and compares them with other AI tools like Claude, OpenAI, and Gemini. While Grock Build performs well in some areas, there is also criticism regarding usability and tool costs.

    The host shares his personal experiences with various AI tools and opinions on the current AI development landscape. He emphasizes the importance of coding skills for AI tool success and praises Anthropic for developing Claude Code.

    Toward the end, the host announces he will do fewer live streams in the future and focus more on pre-recorded videos. He invites viewers to join his Vibe Coding Academy Bootcamp, where he will discuss more about SaaS, AI investments, and his workflows.

    ### Final Note

    The video explicitly covers AI tools and models from Claude (Anthropic), OpenAI (ChatGPT, Codex), Gemini (Google), and specific tools like Grock Build (XAI). It is geared toward intermediate and advanced users interested in SaaS development and sales, as well as the latest developments in the AI industry.

  • LIVE: The greatest Claude Code workflow ever
    13.5.2026, 20:12:33

    The video showcases a detailed, advanced workflow for Claude Code that integrates various tools including Slack, Linear, GitHub, and Claude Code itself. The host explains how these tools work together to increase productivity, track changes, and organize development. The workflow includes creating tasks and projects in Linear, linking them with GitHub for branch management, and using Claude Code to automate and manage these processes. The host emphasizes the benefits of this workflow, such as increased speed, better error prevention, and improved traceability.

    Additionally, the host discusses personal experiences and challenges, such as dealing with difficult times and the importance of perseverance. He also shares his thoughts on using AI tools like Claude Code and Codex, along with their differences and use cases.

    The video is designed for advanced users who already have experience with Claude Code and similar tools and want to optimize their workflows. Specific tools like Claude, OpenAI, and Linear are discussed.

  • Hermes Agent powered by local models on the DGX Spark is basically magic
    13.5.2026, 13:30:07

    The video demonstrates how to set up a Hermes Agent on a local model using an Nvidia DGX Spark to create a 24/7 available AI employee. The process includes setting up the DGX Spark in headless mode, installing a local model (Quen 3.6 27B), and integrating it with the Hermes Agent. The creator demonstrates three use cases: a daily AI stock report for beginners, repurposing YouTube video content for intermediate users, and vibe coding a to-do list app for advanced users. The focus is on the benefits of local models, such as being cost-free (aside from electricity), privacy, customizability, and educational value.

    Final Note: The video explicitly covers Nvidia DGX Spark, Hermes Agent, Quen 3.6 27B, and Tail Scale and is designed for intermediate to advanced users.

  • LIVE: Talking AI news (no Hermes use cases ignore the thumbnail)
    11.5.2026, 20:11:47

    This is a live stream session that primarily revolves around discussing Hermes Agent and its use cases. The host, Alex Finn, begins with an introduction to Hermes Agent and emphasizes the importance of use cases for utilizing the technology. He mentions that Hermes has released a new website with hundreds of use cases that he and the viewers will go through and test.

    However, a large portion of the video is taken up by various tangents and discussions, including:

    1. **Investment Corner**: Alex discusses current investment opportunities in the AI industry, particularly in companies like Nvidia, Micron, TSMC, and Tesla. He emphasizes the importance of current AI developments and the need to invest in the right companies.

    2. **Personal Stories and Anecdotes**: Alex shares personal stories and anecdotes that are often humorous and entertaining but not directly related to the video’s main topic.

    3. **Chat Interaction**: A large portion of the video consists of interaction with the live chat, where Alex answers questions, makes comments, and engages with viewers.

    4. **Hermes Agent Use Cases**: Toward the end of the video, Alex begins discussing some of the use cases from the new Hermes website. He mentions use cases such as creating research reports, managing tasks, and automating processes.

    5. **Announcements and Updates**: Alex provides updates on his own projects and announcements, such as launching a second YouTube channel and attending a Baby Keem concert.

    **Final Note**: The video explicitly covers open-source AI models and tools like Hermes Agent and OpenClaw. It is geared toward intermediate to advanced users who already have some understanding of AI and its applications.

  • Hermes Agent is blowing me away…
    9.5.2026, 20:54:26

    The video compares the AI agents Hermes and OpenClaw, recommending Hermes for its reliability, self-improvement, and user-friendliness. The author describes Hermes’s advantages, including regular thematic updates, self-improvement capability through usage, and a strong emphasis on experimentation and local models. Installing Hermes is described as straightforward, with options for different models and communication services, with Telegram and Opus recommended. The author presents three use cases: one for beginners discovering new AI tools daily, one for intermediate users conducting daily proactive check-ins, and one for experts creating AI-generated videos. The author emphasizes the importance of brain dumping and reverse prompting to use the AI agent personally and effectively.

    The video explicitly covers the AI tools Hermes Agent and OpenClaw and is geared toward intermediate and advanced users.

  • LIVE: Anthropic and Elon just teamed up to take down OpenAI
    6.5.2026, 20:12:34

    The video covers the strategic alliance between Anthropic and Elon Musk’s XAI (X.AI), characterized by a major computing power deal. Anthropic gains access to SpaceX’s Colossus-1 cluster, significantly enhancing their ability to develop and train AI models. This partnership marks a turning point in competition with OpenAI, which has held a dominant position in recent months with Codeex. Anthropic has struggled during this period with reduced limits and less powerful models, which this new alliance aims to address. Elon Musk, previously critical of Anthropic, now provides massive computing resources, changing the dynamics of AI competition. The video also discusses Elon Musk’s long-term strategies, which may focus on larger goals like autonomous vehicles, space travel, and robotics rather than remaining in the AI chatbot competition. The alliance could usher in a new era of innovation and improvement in AI tools from which consumers will benefit. The video emphasizes the importance of using both leading AI tools, Claude Code and Codeex, to benefit from their respective strengths.

    **AI Tools/Models/Providers:** Anthropic, OpenAI, Elon Musk (X.AI), Claude, Codeex, Grock, Gemini, Open-Source
    **Target Audience:** Intermediate

  • Hermes Agent might have just killed OpenClaw
    5.5.2026, 21:11:59

    The video presents Hermes Agent as a more reliable alternative to OpenClaw and covers seven new features that enhance productivity and usability. These include:

    1. **Kanban Board**: Enables multitasking through parallel processing of multiple task streams. A manager agent populates tasks with details and moves them through different statuses (Triage, To-Do, Ready, In Progress, Block, Done).

    2. **Slashgo**: A high-level mission function that assigns long-term tasks to the agent that can be worked on over extended periods. The quality of the prompt is crucial for good results.

    3. **Profiles (Multi-Agents)**: Allows creation of multiple agents with their own memories and capabilities to optimize performance and prevent overload.

    4. **Model Catalog**: Simplifies switching and assigning models to specific tasks, improving cost control and efficiency.

    5. **Compression**: By adjusting the compression threshold to 0.5, less drastic compressions are performed, improving memory retention.

    6. **Curator Feature**: Automatically prunes rarely used skills every seven days to reduce bloat and maintain performance.

    The video criticizes OpenClaw for frequent updates that cause instability and performance issues, highlighting Hermes’s targeted, reliable updates. It recommends leveraging Hermes’s new features to boost productivity.

    **Final Note**: The video explicitly covers Hermes Agent and OpenClaw and is geared toward intermediate to advanced users.

  • LIVE: Is Hermes better than OpenClaw? FINALE!!!
    4.5.2026, 21:53:53

    The YouTube video features a live stream where the host tests various AI agents (OpenClaw and Hermes) in a competition called “Agent Olympics.” The stream is unusually long (3.5 hours) and is divided into different sections ranging from technical tests to personal discussions to spontaneous decisions.

    **Content Summary:**
    1. **Agent Olympics:**
    – The host tests four combinations of AI agents (OpenClaw and Hermes with different backend models like ChatGPT and Opus) across five different tasks.
    – Tasks include creating infographics, animated music videos, and other complex projects.
    – Results are evaluated live, with OpenClaw paired with Opus ultimately emerging as the winner.

    2. **Technical Discussions:**
    – Extensive discussions occur regarding the stability and reliability of various AI agents, particularly Hermes, which is criticized for “compaction” errors (loss of work states).
    – OpenClaw is praised for its consistency and user-friendliness.

    3. **Personal Topics:**
    – The host discusses his sleep problems and experiments with various solutions like kiwis and magnesium.
    – There are discussions about work methods, including the use of treadmills and standing desks, with the host sharing his preferences and dislikes.

    4. **Community Interaction:**
    – Viewers are actively engaged in the chat, asking questions and providing feedback.
    – The host spontaneously decides to create a second YouTube channel called “Alex Finn Labs,” leading to amusing interaction with a viewer who had already reserved the desired channel name.

    5. **Announcements and Future Plans:**
    – The host announces plans to publish more videos about Hermes and multi-agent setups in the future.
    – Discussion occurs about whether live streams should occur at later times to reach a broader audience.

    **Final Note:**
    The video explicitly covers AI tools OpenClaw, Hermes, ChatGPT, and Opus. It is geared toward intermediate and advanced users, as it covers technical details and advanced applications of AI agents.

Leon van Zyl (8 new videos)

  • Claude Code Agent View: Parallel Agents Are Here
    14.5.2026, 10:51:58

    The video reports on a complex supply chain attack targeting open-source packages in the npm ecosystem, affecting over 100 packages with more than 50 million weekly downloads. The attack exploited a vulnerability in Tanstack’s release process when an attacker created a pull request in a fork of the repository, triggering the CI/CD workflow. By using the “pull request target” option, the attacker was able to inject malicious files into the shared cache of the CI server, which later stole a valid npm-publish token and published compromised package versions. The malware spread further by searching for additional npm-publish tokens and infecting more packages, including those from Mistral AI, UiPath, and Open Search. The malware integrated deeply into developer environments and even utilized a “dead man switch” that deleted the root directory of the infected system upon detection.

    To defend against such attacks, the video recommends using PNPM1 or higher, which offers features like “minimum release age,” “block exotic subdependencies,” and “approved builds” to prevent installation of malicious packages. Additionally, Sentry is presented as a tool for troubleshooting issues in production, working with an AI-powered agent called Seir to automatically investigate and resolve problems.

    The video addresses specific tools such as PNPM, Sentry, and Seir Agent and is aimed at intermediate to advanced users.

  • Codex CLI Full Tutorial: Build Your First AI Image Generator from Scratch
    11.5.2026, 11:17:21

    This video walks through building an AI image studio for creating YouTube thumbnails, posters, banners, and other graphic content step by step. The process begins with setting up a Next.js project using the Codex CLI tool, which is based on GPT-5.5 and high reasoning level. A database is set up with Docker and Postgres, and necessary tables for user authentication are migrated.

    The focus is on creating a user-friendly interface that allows users to upload reference images, write prompts, and generate images. The developer leverages the capabilities of the Codex tool to design and test the user interface while adhering to a predefined design system. After designing the interface, the actual functionality is implemented using the OpenAI API key for the GPT-4 image model. The developer demonstrates how to upload reference images and assets and how to generate thumbnails that combine these elements.

    Finally, the user interface is adjusted to ensure image generation only occurs through the dashboard and not through the homepage. The homepage is redesigned with a generated image and marketing text. The video emphasizes the efficiency and time savings achieved by using Codex and OpenAI, while noting the token limitations of the ChatGPT Plus plan.

    The video explicitly addresses OpenAI (GPT-5.5, GPT-4 image model) and Codex. It is intended for intermediate and advanced users, as it covers advanced concepts such as Docker, Postgres, Next.js, and API integration.

  • Create Custom OpenCode Agents #Shorts #OpenCode #AICoding
    10.5.2026, 07:00:16

    The video demonstrates how to create custom agents in OpenCode. By default, there are two agents: “build” and “plan.” To create a custom agent, you run the command `open code agent create` in the terminal. You then provide a description of the agent, for example, that an agent named John responds only with emojis. After creation, you can use the spacebar to determine which functions or tools the agent has access to. You also select the agent mode: either for primary and subordinate roles or only as a subordinate agent. The video demonstrates the creation of a subordinate agent named John and shows how the main agent delegates a task to John. You can track the subordinate agent’s work and view their reasoning and output. Finally, it is emphasized that this is just a demonstration and that in practice, you could use more specific system prompts and tool access for subordinate agents.

    The video addresses OpenCode and is suitable for intermediate users.

  • OpenCode’s Best Hidden Feature #Shorts #OpenCode #AICoding
    9.5.2026, 07:00:19

    The video explains how to set different models for different modes in OpenCode. For example, you can use a powerful model like GPT-5 for planning mode and a fast, cost-effective model like Big Pickle for implementation mode (Bold Mode). Alternatively, you can use GPT-5.5 for planning but reduce effort by selecting the “/variants” command with the “low effort” option. This way, planning is handled by a smart model while implementation is performed by a less powerful but faster model.

    The video addresses open-source models and is more suitable for intermediate users.

  • I Turned Hermes Agent Into a Coding Agent
    8.5.2026, 11:02:33

    The video demonstrates how to use the Hermes Agent as a coding agent to create and deploy a web app online. The process includes setting up the Hermes Agent on a VPS, integrating it with Telegram for communication, installing the Vercel CLI tool for deployment, and configuring the necessary skills for the agent. The creator tests whether the agent can create a personal portfolio page by scraping information from the creator’s YouTube channel and creating an attractive frontend design. The agent successfully creates the app, deploys it to Vercel, and provides a public URL that opens the app in a browser. The video also shows that the agent can make changes to the app and deploy them automatically.

    The creator concludes that Hermes is suitable as a coding agent for simple tasks and quick dashboards but not for complex software projects. The video explicitly addresses Hermes Agent, OpenAI Codex, GPT 5.5, Vercel, and Telegram. It is intended for intermediate and advanced users.

  • This free OpenCode trick saves thousands #opencode #aitools #hacks
    7.5.2026, 13:38:39

    The video explains how to use free AI models for code generation in OpenCode. To do this, you must first run the “connect” command and search for “OpenCode Zen” under the provider. You then generate an API key through a provided URL, which is free. After entering the API key, you receive a list of supported models, including Big Pickle, HY3, Minimax M2.5, and Neurotron 3 Super from Nvidia. These models are powerful and completely free.

    The video addresses OpenCode and OpenCode Zen and is aimed at intermediate users.

  • I Built a Coding Agent That Runs Locally for Free
    6.5.2026, 12:25:00

    The video introduces the open-source tool “Honeyfree,” which enables autonomous planning and implementation of software projects. The user describes to the tool what he wants to build, and it plans features, adds them to a Kanban board, and implements them automatically. The tool supports various models like Alum Studio and Ollama and can also break down complex tasks into smaller features. The user demonstrates creating a simple to-do app and shows how new features can be added and implemented. The video emphasizes that this is now possible with free models, which was not the case a few months ago. It also explains how to download models like Qwen 3.6 or JML4 and use them in Alum Studio or Llama Studio. The user recommends increasing the context window length of models to at least 64,000 tokens for better performance. The video also shows how to install and set up Local Forge to create and manage projects. It emphasizes that while free models are good at writing code, they require more detailed instructions for better results. The user recommends using a paid model like Claude for planning features while using free models for actual implementation. The video ends with an invitation to sign up for a masterclass course teaching how to build applications with coding agents.

    The video addresses open-source models like Qwen 3.6 and JML4 as well as tools like Alum Studio, Llama Studio, and Local Forge. It is more suitable for intermediate and advanced users who already have experience using AI models and developing software.

  • OpenCode Tutorial for Beginners: Setup, Agents, Skills & MCP
    5.5.2026, 12:33:17

    This video is a tutorial showing how to create a Next.js application with OpenCode, an open-source AI tool. The process begins with installing and setting up OpenCode, including connecting with various AI models and providers, both free and paid. The tutorial demonstrates how to add agent capabilities like frontend design and Next.js skills to improve the quality of generated code. It also shows how to use memory files and design systems to increase agent consistency and efficiency. The tutorial continues with creating an application that allows users to input a rough app idea and receive a detailed project plan. The agent uses subagents to perform tasks in parallel and protect the main context. At the end, the application is tested and improved, with the agent completely redesigning the UI and running automated tests. The video is suitable for intermediate and advanced users interested in AI-powered coding tools.

    AI tools/models/providers: OpenCode (open-source), OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, OpenRouter, BigPikko, HY3, Minimax, Nvidia, Vercel, Cintra AI.


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