Samwise Tech Newsletter
TOP 5 STORIES
Qwen Just Quietly Became the Most Dangerous Open-Source AI Model
Suleiman Tawil’s widely read analysis on Medium argues that Qwen has quietly become the most dangerous open-source AI model available today. The article’s teaser describes Qwen as “the most-downloaded AI model family on Earth” — a significant claim that speaks to its rapid global adoption. The 7-minute piece generated 56 reactions on Medium, resonating with readers tracking the shifting dynamics of AI model development and open-source competition. The framing of “dangerous” open-source AI in the headline reflects ongoing debates about the risks and opportunities posed by freely available frontier models that rival closed, commercially developed systems.
I Replaced Our Senior Engineer with AI. The Team Quit Within 3 Weeks.
The Unwritten Algorithm delivers a candid case study in the Let’s Code Future publication about what happened when a company replaced a senior engineer with AI tools to save a $180K annual salary — only to watch $2.1 million in productivity evaporate as the team quit within three weeks. The 9-minute piece generated 190 reactions and 25 comments on Medium, sparking active debate about the true costs of AI workforce substitution. The headline figures — $180K saved versus $2.1M lost — offer a stark counterpoint to the narrative that AI can straightforwardly replace experienced technical staff without significant human consequence.
AI Insiders Are Preparing For The Bubble To Burst
Will Lockett’s highly engaged piece on Medium argues that insiders across the AI industry are now quietly preparing for the bubble to burst — and that their concerns align with OpenAI’s own predicted trajectory. The 5-minute article generated 829 reactions, making it one of the most liked articles in today’s digest and reflecting widespread anxiety about AI investment valuations. Lockett draws a line between insider signals and OpenAI’s reported long-term challenges. The piece adds to a growing body of editorial commentary questioning whether current AI enthusiasm reflects sustainable growth or an overinflated market cycle heading for an inevitable correction.
81,000 People Spoke to Anthropic’s AI: The #1 Fear Revealed
Tasmia Sharmin writes in the Predict publication about findings from a large-scale study released by Anthropic on March 19, 2026, involving conversations with 81,000 people. The research surfaced what Sharmin describes as an unexpected number-one fear among participants — one that may surprise those closely following AI public perception. The 11-minute piece generated 221 reactions and 9 comments on Medium. Sharmin draws on the Anthropic data to offer a window into how real users actually feel about interacting with AI, making it a valuable read for anyone tracking public sentiment around large language model deployment at scale.
Sam Altman Just Confirmed That the AI Bubble Has Begun to Deflate
An analyst writing in the Predict publication argues that Sam Altman has effectively confirmed what critics have long suggested: the AI investment bubble has begun to deflate. The piece’s opening line — “you can convince investors, but not the math” — sets the tone for a data-driven examination of where OpenAI and the broader AI sector actually stand. The 7-minute article drew 214 reactions on Medium. Taken alongside Will Lockett’s piece in this same digest, the two articles paint a consistent picture of a sector where insider confidence is quietly diverging from the public optimism still projected by AI’s biggest players.
Celebrity Impersonation Is a Surprisingly Lucrative Business
Morning Brew’s Sunday feature examines the surprisingly lucrative business of celebrity impersonation. According to Glassdoor data cited in the newsletter, impersonators can earn up to $129,000 a year. Corporate events are the backbone of the industry, with top-tier performers commanding between $500 and $10,000 per appearance according to Los Angeles Magazine. Tribute bands operate at even higher rates — Pink Floyd cover act Brit Floyd lists appearance fees between $35,000 and $50,000. Legal challenges are real: Elvis impersonators at Las Vegas chapels received a cease-and-desist letter in 2022, and the Johnny Cash estate has since sued under Tennessee’s Elvis Act.
Historical Impersonators Cash In on America’s 250th Birthday
America’s 250th birthday celebrations are creating a boom for historical impersonators. Brian Patrick Mulligan, a full-time Ben Franklin impersonator with 35 years of experience, told Morning Brew he is now receiving five to ten private event inquiries per day — compared to roughly a weekly rate last year. Historic Philadelphia reports requests to hire its impersonators are up about 40% this year. Mulligan charges $1,776 for a one-hour keynote address, a price deliberately tied to the nation’s founding year. Colonial Williamsburg is projecting 2.1 million visitors in 2026, up from 1.8 million in 2024, as the semiquincentennial drives heritage tourism nationwide.
Princess Party Industry Booms Post-Pandemic
Hiring costumed princess entertainers for children’s birthday parties has boomed since the pandemic, with local entertainment companies scrambling to meet demand. Ashley Jantz, who runs Once Upon a Princess in Indiana and celebrated 11 years in business last month, told Morning Brew her area has grown from a handful of competitors to as many as 15 similar companies statewide. Her packages start at $250 for an hour and go up to $300 for 90 minutes, with the company averaging more than 30 booking requests per month. A New York federal court ruled against Disney in 2018 when it sued a competitor whose site described a Chewbacca knockoff as “Big Hairy Guy.”
Cameo Analysis: Trump Most Impersonated, Lady Gaga Commands Top Rate
Morning Brew analyzed Cameo listings to see how impersonators are monetizing the platform for personalized video messages. Of 357 listed impersonator contributors, approximately 325 are genuinely in that category. Thirty-one are generalist impressionists while 24 specialize in costumed princess performances. Donald Trump is the most commonly impersonated individual on the platform, bookable at an average of $78 per video, followed by Elvis Presley ($48), Spider-Man ($40), Jack Sparrow ($60), and Lady Gaga ($108) — who commands the highest average rate. Michael Jackson, Santa, Marilyn Monroe, Freddie Mercury, Dolly Parton, Batman, and Madonna each have at least four dedicated impersonators.