The hottest Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

I spent 4 hours figuring out how BigQuery executes the SQL query internally. Here's what I found.

VuTrinh. • 79 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Data Engineering Database Systems Cloud Computing Big Data Software Development
  1. BigQuery processes SQL queries by planning, optimizing, and executing them. It starts by validating the query and creating an efficient execution plan.
  2. The query execution uses a dynamic tree structure that adjusts based on data characteristics. This helps to manage different types of queries more effectively.
  3. Key components of BigQuery include the Query Master for planning, the Scheduler for assigning resources, and Worker Shards that carry out the actual computations.

Here's how to stop the harmful content before it's posted

techandsocialcohesion • 59 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Research Content Moderation
  1. Researchers are exploring using AI to prevent toxic content before it's posted online by prompting users as they type messages.
  2. Users appreciated the concept of receiving alerts about potentially harmful language but had concerns about privacy and disruptions to natural conversation flow.
  3. Implementing proactive measures like AI-based content moderation prompts not only eases the burden on moderation systems but also enhances the quality of online interactions by promoting empathy and understanding.

The Illusory Learning Curve

Gordian Knot News • 241 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Nuclear power Engineering Regulation Productivity Manufacturing
  1. There is not much of a learning curve when building ships or power plants. Each project is unique, so little efficiency is gained from past projects.
  2. Regulation plays a big role in increasing costs for nuclear power plants, making them expensive to build. Regulations can limit the benefits of any learning curve.
  3. Despite claims of future savings, history shows that costs for nuclear plants often do not decrease significantly with experience. The actual savings are minimal.

Don't Sign Long Term AI Deals

Enterprise AI Trends • 84 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🕹 Technology AI SaaS Innovation Trends Business
  1. Avoid locking yourself into long-term AI deals. Technology is changing fast, and what you invest in today might not be useful in a few months.
  2. Be cautious of making big commitments based on fear of missing out. It's better to be flexible than to be stuck with something that may not work later.
  3. When considering AI platforms or products, think about their relevance over time instead of just their immediate benefits.

Arguing with Software

David Friedman’s Substack • 251 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Automation E-commerce Customer Service Digital Platforms
  1. Dealing with automated systems can be frustrating. Sometimes, your complaints are answered by software that just sends form letters instead of real help.
  2. Getting issues resolved often requires persistence. If you keep pushing for a solution, a real person may eventually step in to help.
  3. It's important to remember that companies aren't people. They may prioritize efficiency over empathy, which can impact how they handle problems.
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I, Cyborg: Using Co-Intelligence

One Useful Thing • 650 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Writing Future of AI
  1. AI can be a powerful tool in writing and reading, enhancing the process by providing options and guidance without replacing human creativity.
  2. Authors can use AI as Cyborgs or Centaurs, blending human and machine efforts to optimize their work in writing and analysis tasks.
  3. AI continues to advance rapidly, with models like GPT-4 showcasing impressive writing capabilities, indicating a future where AI may play an even larger role in book creation.

Amber, Babylon, sun.misc.Unsafe and the rest: Java's plans for 2024 - JVM Weekly vol. 69

JVM Weekly • 98 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software updates Technology Adoption API Development
  1. Java has ambitious plans for 2024 with projects like Amber, Babylon, and Valhalla focused on improving performance, memory efficiency, and concurrency.
  2. New JEPs in 2024 include proposals to deprecate memory access methods in sun.misc.Unsafe and enhancements for pattern matching for primitive types.
  3. Jakarta EE 11 now offers support for JDK 17 alongside JDK 21 to ease migration and accommodate user preferences for Java versions.

Could A.I. Make Us More Human?

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 28 Jun 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Digital Technologies Generative AI Social media
  1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) might actually help make us more human, sparking an intriguing perspective to consider.
  2. The advancements in AI tools like Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing are already being used in various fields including healthcare and environmental research.
  3. Rethinking human exceptionalism and embracing the potential for AI to facilitate communication with animals and nature could lead to significant shifts in societal norms and behaviors.

What Is Man That Thou Art Mindful of Him?: How We All Already Have Our Superintelligent AI-Assistant :: POSSIBLE LECTURE OUTLINE

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 107 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Cognition Human Evolution Social Dynamics Collective Intelligence
  1. Humanity's collective brain can be viewed as our superintelligent partner, and we don't need to create a new one. We already have intelligence through our connections and shared knowledge.
  2. Our evolution has shaped us into a high-energy species that relies on cooperation and sharing, helping us thrive over time. This social interaction was key to our development and success.
  3. Smartphones and technology are just the next step in our long journey of collective thinking. They are tools that enhance our ability to connect and process information together.

Top 50 Space Conferences to Propel Your Space Ambition

Space Ambition • 279 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🕹 Technology Space Tech Conferences Networking Investors Research
  1. There are many global space conferences where people can network and share ideas. These events are great for anyone interested in space, from CEOs to scientists.
  2. The conferences cover a range of topics, including business, technology, and academic research. Each event offers chances to meet professionals and learn about the latest developments in space.
  3. Attending these conferences can help spark new ideas and connect people who may become future partners or clients in the space industry.

China's Deepseek is NOT as smart as ChatGPT-o1

Maximum Truth • 231 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Competitiveness Innovation Data
  1. Deepseek performs on par with free AI models but does not reach the intelligence of OpenAI's paid models. It can exceed or match free AIs like Claude and ChatGPT-4o, but falls short against the more advanced paid versions.
  2. When tested with IQ questions only found offline, Deepseek does better than free models but still trails behind OpenAI’s paid models. Its results imply it may have leveraged internet data for online IQ tests, thus affecting its offline performance.
  3. Despite being competitive, the US maintains a lead in AI intelligence. Deepseek shows promise but faces challenges ahead, especially with the restrictions on technology that China experiences.

In the World of AI, What Have Engineers Experienced?

AI Disruption • 39 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Engineers Silicon Valley Tech Companies Artificial Intelligence
  1. Silicon Valley AI engineers are burnt out due to high workload and constantly changing priorities.
  2. Many tech companies use AI for the sake of using it, focusing on hype rather than real problem-solving.
  3. The rush to release AI products quickly can lead to failures and negative consequences, highlighting a current bubble in the AI industry.

The Sequence Engineering #661: Create Your Own Deep Research Agent with DeerFlow

TheSequence • 119 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software AI Automation Research Development
  1. DeerFlow is an open-source tool that helps automate research tasks. It uses multiple agents to make research faster and easier.
  2. The framework can do many tasks, like searching the web and creating reports, with little help from people. This makes it very efficient.
  3. It's designed for developers and engineers who want to build research systems that can grow and adapt easily.

Building the next generation of media brands on Substack

Substack • 593 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Media Publishing Digital Customization Features Branding
  1. Substack has introduced new themes and search options to help creators customize their publications. This means writers can make their sites look different and more engaging.
  2. Improved search features allow readers to find specific content quickly. Now, they can easily search for topics or authors across all posts.
  3. The Bulwark, a successful Substack publication, moved its entire site to Substack to take advantage of these new features and saw a significant increase in subscribers and revenue.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 504

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 239 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Data science Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Data Engineering Data Visualization
  1. AI companies are complicated and must consider many factors like research, funding, and competition. Understanding these can help predict how they might evolve in the future.
  2. Debriefs, or team discussions after projects, can greatly boost team performance. They help everyone learn from experiences and improve future collaboration.
  3. New research shows that specific ingredient pairings in food can be explained by flavor networks. This indicates there are universal patterns in how different foods complement each other.

How the AI security space will evolve

Frankly Speaking • 203 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Security Software Innovation Market Trends
  1. Many AI security companies may struggle to survive because large language models (LLMs) are easier and cheaper to use. Most businesses prefer using LLMs instead of creating their own models.
  2. The future of AI security is unpredictable because it's hard to guess when companies will start using their own AI models. This makes it a challenging space for startups to gain traction.
  3. There’s a lot of activity in both security and AI, making it tough to keep up. The combination of these two fast-evolving fields adds more complexity to security concerns.

The robotics company working with OpenAI to eat every warehouse worker's lunch

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 651 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Robotics Artificial Intelligence Automation Investment Competition
  1. Brett Adcock's humanoid robot company aims to replace human workers in warehouses with subscription-based robots that can work 20 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  2. Figure AI collaborates with OpenAI to combine robotics and AI, aiming to create 'embodied AI' by leveraging OpenAI's strengths in language models and Figure's expertise in robotics.
  3. Adcock positions Figure AI to compete with Elon Musk's humanoid robotics effort 'Optimus' and dismisses other competitors due to limitations in hardware or software capabilities.

The Sequence Opinion #682: The Boundary of Autonomy: When AI Can Go Solo

TheSequence • 98 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Software Innovation Automation
  1. Autonomous AI can make decisions without humans, but it still has big challenges to overcome. Balancing smart algorithms with real-world chaos is tough.
  2. There are certain areas where using autonomous AI might be more effective than others. These domains might be really suited for AI to take charge.
  3. The development of effective autonomy in AI is something researchers are actively exploring. It's an exciting topic that can change how we use technology.

On OpenAI Dev Day

Don't Worry About the Vase • 851 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI GPT-4
  1. GPT-4 Turbo brings big improvements like knowledge up to April 2023 and cheaper prices.
  2. Function calling updates allow multiple functions in one message, improving accuracy.
  3. New modalities like GPT-4 with vision and DALL·E 3 offer exciting possibilities for developers.

Orange peels, human tests, and LLMs

The Counterfactual • 139 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Research Cognition Benchmarking
  1. It's tricky to know what Large Language Models (LLMs) can really do. Figuring out how to measure their skills, like reasoning, is more complicated than it seems.
  2. Using tests designed for humans might not always work for LLMs. Just because a test is good for people doesn't mean it measures the same things for AI.
  3. We need to look deeper into how LLMs solve tasks, not just focus on their test scores. Understanding their inner workings could help us assess their true capabilities better.

Your AI strategy is a waste of time

Generating Conversation • 303 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Tools Tech Strategy Enterprise AI Digital Transformation Innovation
  1. AI strategies are often unhelpful because things change so quickly. It's better to focus on just using more AI instead of getting stuck in endless planning.
  2. Experts in each department should choose the AI tools they need, rather than leaving it up to a central committee. This way, the people closest to the work can make the best decisions.
  3. Not every AI tool will work perfectly right away, and that's okay. Being open to trying different tools will help teams learn and improve their choices over time.

You Forgot One, Ben Franklin

Fireside Chat Logs • 79 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Job search Skill development Personal Projects Industry insights
  1. Layoffs are a common experience in the games industry, and it's important to be prepared for them.
  2. During a period of unemployment, focus on updating resumes, exploring benefits, networking, and pursuing personal projects.
  3. Embracing creativity by working on passion projects like developing games can be a fulfilling endeavor during challenging times.

Spotlight: Noemie Alliel – Managing Director @ Starburst

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Aerospace Startups Investing Consulting Innovation
  1. Starburst Aerospace runs accelerator programs to help startups connect with large companies and secure funding. These programs provide valuable services and expertise to entrepreneurs without requiring direct investment.
  2. Successful startups often need a strong team and a well-researched idea, along with the ability to communicate their vision clearly. Investors look for uniqueness, innovation, and a solid understanding of the market.
  3. Emerging trends in the space industry include remote sensing, in-space manufacturing, and food production in space. These areas hold potential for significant growth and investment opportunities.

Receipt, Please

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 79 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gadgets Innovation Consumer Tech Software User Experience
  1. Many people are returning the Apple Vision Pro headset soon after buying it, citing discomfort. However, most returns are coming from YouTubers who likely intended to return it all along.
  2. The return rate for the Vision Pro isn't as high as it seems, even with media attention on the complaints. This suggests many buyers are satisfied with the product.
  3. Apple has been working on the Vision Pro for about ten years, and they're committed to changing how we interact with technology.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 493

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 319 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🕹 Technology Data science Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Data Visualization Engineering
  1. Data scientists often lack key skills needed for the job, which can be frustrating for those hiring. It's important for data scientists to continually improve their skills and adapt to job requirements.
  2. There's a significant increase in data downtime and resolution times, signaling that overall data quality management needs improvement. Companies should focus on better data practices to enhance their operations.
  3. New programming languages, like Mojo, are emerging that aim to simplify coding and enhance user experience. These advancements can make programming more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Looking at the Datastructures- Trees [Math Mondays]

Technology Made Simple • 179 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Data Structures Software Engineering Machine Learning AI Recursion
  1. Trees are powerful data structures that are great for efficient organization and retrieval of data in software engineering.
  2. Recursion works well with trees due to their recursive substructure, making implementation of recursive functions easier.
  3. Decision trees in AI excel at discerning complex patterns, providing interpretable results, and are versatile in various domains such as finance, healthcare, and marketing.

Space Advantages for Electronics Production: Microgravity & Extreme Temperatures & Vacuum

Space Ambition • 179 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Space Tech Electronics Manufacturing Semiconductors AI
  1. Space offers unique conditions like microgravity and extreme temperatures that can help create better electronic materials. This can lead to higher purity materials and improved processes that are hard to achieve on Earth.
  2. The cost of launching materials into space has decreased significantly, making space manufacturing more accessible. New startups are emerging to support in-space production, which enhances the potential for innovations in microelectronics.
  3. To truly benefit from manufacturing in space, the economics need to prove that it's cheaper than Earth-based production. First, companies will focus on small-scale projects that can show clear advantages before scaling up.

Ruby Thelot: A Eulogy for Checkpoints

Do Not Research • 179 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Infrastructure Internet History Community Building
  1. Checkpoints on YouTube started as a digital behavior in the comment section, reflecting user openness and vulnerability.
  2. YouTube comments section acts as a digital 'third place,' where users share semi-anonymously, similar to ancient city walls used for writing.
  3. Checkpoint stories highlight the importance of considering the fragility of digital infrastructures and the need for community memory preservation.

For WIRED: Google's relentless search for answers

escape the algorithm • 179 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Internet AI Search Engine
  1. Web crawling and search engines do not provide a comprehensive view of the internet, just like a travel itinerary may not cover all destinations
  2. Technology products can be seen as either Physicians, condensing information for quick answers, or Librarians, guiding towards deeper context and exploration
  3. Google's evolution shows a shift towards prioritizing the answer over just providing links, moving towards a more 'Physician' approach

Do Prediction Technologies Help Novices or Experts More?

New Things Under the Sun • 224 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Research Data science
  1. AI can help both beginners and experts, but it depends on the tasks they are working on. Sometimes, beginners gain more because AI levels the playing field.
  2. In some cases, experts benefit more from AI. They can solve complex problems that AI cannot, while beginners still struggle with those.
  3. Prediction tools can make a big difference in innovation fields like mining and drug discovery. The impact varies based on expertise and the types of problems being addressed.

Overview of the AI landscape

Software Engineering Tidbits • 98 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Data Management Tooling
  1. Large Language Models (LLMs) are key in AI applications like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude.
  2. Vector databases and embeddings help understand word associations, with tools like Pinecone and the Embedding Projector by TensorFlow.
  3. Tooling in AI is advancing, with Vellum for versioning prompts and Not Diamond for routing prompts for optimal model response.

What I Learned This Week #1

Eventually Consistent • 39 implied HN points • 06 May 24
🕹 Technology Databases Programming Podcasts Social media
  1. ScyllaDB introduces a shard per core design, maximizing parallelism by assigning a separate shard to each core.
  2. FoundationDB bridges SQL and NoSQL, offering ACID transactions with schema flexibility and performance.
  3. Compilers like Clang and language servers like Clangd have separate purposes; language servers follow the Language Server Protocol for portability.

DevProd headcount benchmarks, Q1 2026

Engineering Enablement • 10 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Engineering Management Developer Productivity Organizational Design Productivity Metrics
  1. Most companies dedicate about 2–6% of engineering headcount to centralized developer productivity, averaging roughly 4.7%, and that percentage tends to shrink as organizations grow past ~1,000 engineers because tooling, automation, and leverage reduce headcount needs.
  2. The benchmark counts only narrowly-defined DevProd teams (internal developer platforms, DevEx/Productivity, build & release, test infra, and developer education/support) and excludes SRE, general cloud, security, and product-facing platform teams.
  3. Treat these numbers as a guideline, not a quota: use them to set initial headcount for a center of excellence and pair them with measurement (for example, the Core 4) to confirm the team is actually reducing developer friction.

Where Is Technical Program Management Heading in 2026?

Building Rome(s) • 15 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🕹 Technology AI Program Management Product Management Tools Careers
  1. AI tools will keep getting much smarter and cheaper, so TPMs should design workflows that age well and leverage compounding improvements instead of chasing a perfect tool.
  2. The novelty phase of AI is ending — leaders will demand real ROI, so TPMs must focus on measurable outcomes like predictive planning, risk simulations, and AI-assisted forecasting rather than surface-level automations.
  3. Companies need to provide access and training for specialized AI tools because lack of access will become an organizational problem, and the TPM role will shift toward a builder, cross-stack, AI-fluent generalist that increasingly overlaps with product management.