Winter Olympics, AI, Tariffs, and Pandemic Jokes Dominate the Week

The past week has been a whirlwind of news, from the thrilling moments of the Winter Olympics to the Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs and a refreshing take on success from Olympic champion Alysa Liu. Meanwhile, the Class of 2020 continues to make light of their pandemic losses on TikTok, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman weighs in on the role of AI in layoffs.

The Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina have been a highlight of the week, with Alysa Liu's win in women's figure skating being a particular standout. Liu, who quit skating at 16, didn't "need" a gold medal, she told reporters, but was thrilled to perform. "I don't need this [medal]," Liu said, full of joy, while cheering on her competitors. "But what I needed was the stage and I got that, so I was all good. No matter what happened." This refreshing attitude has resonated with many, and her performance to Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park" was flawless.

As the Olympics drew to a close, President Trump made headlines with his announcement that he will impose a 10% global tariff, following the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision to strike down his far-reaching global tariffs. The new tariffs would come under a law that restricts them to 150 days. Trump's move is seen as a response to the court's decision, which he described as a "stinging loss" on an issue crucial to his economic agenda.

In other news, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has spoken out about the role of AI in layoffs, suggesting that it is being unduly blamed for job cuts. According to Altman, employment data does not indicate that AI is replacing jobs en masse. This echoes the sentiments of economists and experts, who have repeatedly said that AI is not the primary cause of the current wave of layoffs.

Meanwhile, on TikTok, members of the Class of 2020 are still making light of their pandemic losses. The trend of joking about not having a graduation or prom has been around since 2020, but it continues to be a popular way for the class to poke fun at their shared experience. From slipping on ice to losing a loved one, the Class of 2020 is using humor to cope with the challenges they faced.

As the week comes to a close, it's clear that there's been no shortage of news to keep up with. From the thrill of the Olympics to the drama of politics and the humor of TikTok, there's been something for everyone.