The "monkeys" here are clearly refering to those kinds with typewriters.

Evidently not "clearly", given the number of people who didn't see it, but that was my first interpretation as well: I took it as an "infinite monkeys" reference that, in context, was probably standing in for "some un-tested gen AI output". Which, clicking on the link, seems to be what happened?

Anyway, yes, "infinite monkeys on typewriters" seemed to be the relevant meaning of "monkeys" here.

vs…?

Apparently there's some specific US cultural history of people calling black people "monkeys" as a racist insult, and so some people from there immediately leap to assume that any use of "monkey" as an insult is that.

You think that’s an American thing only?? Oh boy, I have bad news.

Oh wow.

Following now.

Sheesh.

Ridiculous to claim this is a "US-specific thing" https://www.academia.edu/22669911/Comparing_black_people_to_...