The hottest Substack posts right now

according to Hacker News
Category

Democratizing AI: MosaicML's Impact on the Open-Source LLM Movement

Deep (Learning) Focus • 255 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Models Training AI Software Open Source
  1. Creating a more powerful base model is crucial for improving downstream applications of Large Language Models (LLMs).
  2. MosaicML's release of MPT-7B and MPT-30B has revolutionized the open-source LLM community by offering high-performing, commercially-usable models for practitioners in AI.
  3. MPT-7B and MPT-30B showcase innovations like ALiBi, FlashAttention, and low precision layer norm, leading to faster training, better performance, and support for longer context lengths.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

SHARP? SuperChain? Layer-3s? Temporary Rollups? AHHHHHH

Cryptocurrency and Friends • 255 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🔮 Crypto Ethereum Blockchain Rollups
  1. Rollups on Ethereum help scale for mass adoption by utilizing trusted third parties like the bridge smart contract.
  2. Deploying off-chain systems on top of rollups can offer cost-effective execution and access to shared infrastructure.
  3. Projects deploying off-chain systems can choose between re-using the rollup's executors or appointing independent executors based on their needs.

Booking: The $170B+ A/B Testing Machine

SatPost by Trung Phan • 154 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Marketing E-commerce Acquisitions Technology Startups
  1. Booking Holdings became the largest online travel company by using A/B testing effectively. They run thousands of tests on their website to figure out what works best for getting customers to book travel.
  2. The company's success also comes from smart acquisitions, like Booking.com and Active Hotels, which helped them quickly grow and shape the travel industry. These acquisitions cost them $294 million and grew into a $170 billion company.
  3. Booking's culture focuses on data and experimentation. They let everyone in the company, not just the top executives, run tests and use data to make decisions, leading to a more user-friendly experience.

Where did the turnkey contracts go?

Gordian Knot News • 124 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business Energy Utilities Contracts Nuclear Regulations
  1. In the late 1960s, nuclear power was seen as a cheaper way to generate electricity compared to coal, thanks to its efficiency and lower need for pollution controls.
  2. After 1968, fixed-price contracts for nuclear plants disappeared due to regulatory changes, leading to rising costs that made nuclear less competitive with coal.
  3. A stable regulatory system is essential for the success of nuclear power, as uncertainty can lead to higher costs that are passed on to consumers.

Kisses, Slaps, and Souls

Going Awol • 179 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Personal Identity Metaphysics Dualism
  1. Substance Dualism posits that humans are made of two distinct substances - body and soul. The soul is considered the essential part that defines who we are.
  2. One objection to Substance Dualism questions how an immaterial soul, if essential, can be touched. A philosophical dialogue illustrating this objection is discussed.
  3. The objection is refuted through a clever dialogue between a Substance Dualist and someone who believes we are only bodies, highlighting linguistic nuances in how we perceive physical interactions.

The Mexican Cartel Allegedly Catfished Her Daughter Using AI. That's Not Big Tech's Fault.

Default Wisdom • 111 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Social media Privacy AI Ethics
  1. AI technology can create convincing fake identities, making it easier for bad actors to deceive people online. This can lead to dangerous situations, like the case of a girl who was catfished by a cartel member.
  2. Legal rulings are starting to differentiate between AI chatbots as products rather than free speech, which could change how companies are held accountable. This raises questions about the responsibility of tech companies in preventing misuse of their products.
  3. People form strong attachments to technology, which can lead to unhealthy situations, especially for those with vulnerabilities. It's important to recognize that these issues often stem from personal struggles, not just the technology itself.

Software Supply Chain Security in DevSecOps & CI/CD

Resilient Cyber • 259 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Software Development DevOps Cybersecurity Cloud Computing Information Security
  1. Software supply chain attacks are increasing, making it essential for organizations to protect their software development processes. Companies are looking for ways to secure their software from these attacks.
  2. NIST has issued guidance to help organizations improve software supply chain security, especially in DevSecOps and CI/CD environments. Following NIST's recommendations can help mitigate risks and ensure safer software delivery.
  3. The complexity of modern software environments makes security challenging. It's important for organizations to implement strict security measures throughout the development lifecycle to prevent attacks and ensure the integrity of their software.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 510

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 279 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Data Engineering Data science Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Cloud Computing
  1. Autonomous drones can now race at human champion levels using deep reinforcement learning. This shows how advanced technology can mimic skilled human behavior in competitive sports.
  2. Google is rapidly developing its AI capabilities and plans to surpass GPT-4 by a significant margin soon. This could lead to more powerful AI tools for various applications.
  3. Reinforced Self-Training (ReST) is a new method for improving language models by aligning their outputs with human preferences. It offers better translation quality and can be done efficiently with less data.

A 5 Step Process to Improve Your Investment Acumen With Zero Risk

DeFi Education • 919 implied HN points • 07 Sep 22
💰 Finance Risk management Investment Trading Market Analysis Data Analysis
  1. To get better at investing, you need to practice regularly and learn from different situations. The more you engage with investments, the better you'll become.
  2. Gather data from various sources to form a complete understanding of an investment. Don't just look at numbers; think about what they mean and how they relate to the market.
  3. After creating your investment plan, it's key to track how your decisions pan out. Reflect on what you did right or wrong to keep improving your skills over time.

Running Neural Networks on Meshes of Light

The Asianometry Newsletter • 1522 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Challenges Neural Networks Photonics Energy Efficiency Implementation
  1. Human brain uses less energy than computers for similar tasks like running neural networks
  2. Silicon photonics can improve energy efficiency in running neural networks by replacing electrical connections with light-based ones
  3. Photonic meshes have potential for great power efficiency, but face challenges in accuracy and scalability

What's changing with AI monetization

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 354 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Market Trends Monetization Strategies
  1. AI monetization is changing a lot, with companies trying different pricing models like skill-based pricing instead of just selling features. This means customers might pay more for higher skills or better performance.
  2. Many AI products are moving away from traditional seat-based subscriptions and instead charging for the amount of work done. This makes it easier for businesses to understand what they’re paying for.
  3. Recent announcements from big players like OpenAI about pricing show that businesses are experimenting with different strategies, which can sometimes lead to unexpected consequences like losing money on subscriptions if usage is too high.

Ghost Exits

Kneeling Bus • 352 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Culture Streaming services
  1. If TikTok disappeared, people might find new activities to fill their time, but likely, other platforms would just take its place. This shows how dependent we are on social media.
  2. We need stronger institutions instead of just relying on platforms like TikTok and Spotify for our connection and content. Better structures could provide more value to users without the downsides.
  3. Spotify makes us feel like we have endless music options, but it often benefits ghost artists instead of real musicians. This highlights how platforms can exploit users while pretending to offer abundance.

✅ Navigating the future of corporate communications

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
💼 Business Media Relations Crisis Management Corporate Communications Public Relations
  1. Public relations and corporate communications are different, but many people confuse them. It's important to clarify each term's meaning and role.
  2. Corporate communications are becoming more strategic in nature. This change helps organizations improve their reputation and make better decisions.
  3. Communicators should focus on building relationships with their audiences instead of just pushing out media messages. Listening and engaging is key to success.

DolphinGemma

Gonzo ML • 126 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🕹 Technology AI Marine Biology Communication Research
  1. DolphinGemma is a project focused on understanding dolphin communication by analyzing their sounds. The goal is to create a model that can generate sound sequences similar to dolphin vocalizations.
  2. This research is still in early stages and lacks transparency, with no published scientific papers or clear results yet. Researchers aim to develop tools that could enable better communication with dolphins.
  3. The project has connections to other animal communication studies, like those with whales, but DolphinGemma has not provided as much information, leading some to seek out more open projects for insights.

The Best Skillsets to Learn in 2024 to Use Microsoft Security Copilot Effectively

Rod’s Blog • 178 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Microsoft Learning Resources Cybersecurity Community AI
  1. To effectively use Microsoft Security Copilot in 2024, you should focus on developing skills in natural language processing, cybersecurity fundamentals, and familiarity with Microsoft security products.
  2. Learning through resources like Microsoft Learn, blogs, podcasts, online communities, tools, and events can enhance your understanding and usage of Microsoft Security Copilot.
  3. Microsoft Security Copilot leverages generative AI to aid security professionals in incident response, threat hunting, intelligence gathering, and posture management, requiring a blend of technical and non-technical skills.

Humans—and GPT-4—are predictably irrational

The Counterfactual • 219 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Cognitive Science Artificial Intelligence Language Models Behavioral Economics Decision-making
  1. Humans often make decisions based on emotions and biases, rather than pure logic. This means they're not always rational, which is important to understand.
  2. Large language models like GPT-4 can show similar irrational behaviors. They can make mistakes in judgment much like humans do, which gives insight into how we think.
  3. The way people attribute beliefs to others can change based on the situation. When faced with strong pressures, people are less likely to jump to conclusions about someone's beliefs.

Wings Over India: Manufacturing Our Aviation Future

Tigerfeathers! • 37 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
💼 Business Startups Economics Aerospace Manufacturing Technology
  1. India has a rich history and potential in aviation, but has mostly imported planes instead of building its own. It needs to revive its aviation manufacturing to not just operate, but also create aircraft.
  2. Building aircraft can boost India’s engineering talent and confidence, making the country more self-reliant. This is key for both economic growth and national security, especially when it comes to defense.
  3. Investing in aircraft manufacturing can bring economic benefits, reduce travel costs, and inspire future generations to dream bigger. India has the talent, but it needs to take bold steps to realize its aeronautical ambitions.

Longer, Higher For Longer

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 23 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
💰 Finance Commodities Interest Rates Bonds Investing Inflation Central Banking Monetary Policy
  1. Interest rates are the core price that coordinates savings and investment, and heavy central-bank intervention has turned them into an administered price that can obscure real market signals.
  2. After a forty-year decline, long-term rates may be shifting higher because of large government debt, weaker anti-inflation norms, and adverse demographics — implying bonds could be "longer, higher for longer."
  3. If long rates stay higher, long-term bonds and real stock returns will likely suffer while commodities (especially gold) may outperform; keeping a very low fixed-rate mortgage and favoring companies with easy access to commodities could make sense.

The Sequence Knowledge #689: A Summary of Our Series About AI Evaluation

TheSequence • 126 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Model performance Benchmarks Interoperability
  1. AI benchmarks help us understand how well models perform and what they can do. They support better comparisons and let everyone know if a model actually works.
  2. Current benchmark systems sometimes lag behind because models are evolving so quickly. We need new ways to evaluate models that reflect their actual abilities.
  3. The future of AI evaluation may involve dynamic benchmarks that adapt as models improve. This could provide clearer insights into a model's strengths and weaknesses.

Engineering Management in the Age of Agents

Leading Developers • 100 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Engineering Management Business strategy Software Development Artificial Intelligence
  1. Engineering managers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between technical and business sides. They need to understand what customers want and how the business works to effectively communicate and create roadmaps.
  2. Good communication is key for engineering managers, especially when mentoring new engineers. Clear expectations and understanding of the desired outcomes can help prevent misunderstandings and improve the coding process.
  3. People skills are essential in engineering management. As AI tools become more common, being able to manage relationships and navigate challenges with team members will remain an important advantage.

Marc Andreessen"You Can't Build A Successful Company Without Thinking On Idea Maze !"| VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Competition Startups Innovation
  1. Good startup ideas are well-developed, multi-year plans that consider various paths and changes in the market, known as the Idea Maze.
  2. The Idea Maze concept helps founders think strategically about their company's journey, by mapping out potential paths to success or failure.
  3. When navigating the Idea Maze, founders can gain insights from history, analogies, theories, and direct experience to make informed decisions.

June 2024 update

Opral (lix & inlang) • 19 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
💼 Business Funding Investment Entrepreneurship Startups Innovation
  1. The company did not raise the seed funding they wanted, but they see this as a good opportunity to speed up their progress. They can now change their plans without depending on investor demands.
  2. By breaking away from git compatibility, they hope to reduce their requirements and reach monetization quicker in the future. This means their next funding round will need less money.
  3. At a recent conference, they got helpful feedback on how to pitch their product effectively. They learned not to compare their product to others to avoid confusion and that one specific term resonated well with their audience.

China’s Quantum Gamble

ChinaTalk • 415 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Quantum Computing International relations Research & Development
  1. China's quantum technology sector may rely more on state funding due to new U.S. restrictions on investments. This means Chinese companies could get support directly from the government instead of international investors.
  2. The recent rules about quantum tech could make it harder to understand what's happening in China's commercial quantum efforts. Since U.S. money is less involved now, there may be less transparency.
  3. Even though the restrictions are significant, they might not stop China's progress in quantum technologies. China already has strong funding and a growing start-up scene focused on these developments.

Short Takes #2

Am I Stronger Yet? • 125 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Economics AI Workplace Innovation Healthcare
  1. AI is not being adopted as fast as people expected, even for bad uses like fraud. Many tasks can still be done by hand, and the real-world impact of AI is still evolving.
  2. The healthcare industry may offer more opportunities for AI than coding. A lot of money is spent on admin tasks in healthcare, and AI could help make this easier.
  3. Despite advancements in AI, radiologists still have jobs because their roles involve complex tasks that are hard to fully automate. There are many factors that influence job security in the field.