One Useful Thing

One Useful Thing, authored by Prof. Ethan Mollick, explores the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on various facets of life including work, education, and creative processes. It delves into how AI technologies like GPTs and LLMs can enhance human performance, alter organizational structures, and introduce ethical considerations amidst rapid technological advancements.

Artificial Intelligence Workplace Innovation Educational Technology Creative Processes Ethics in Technology Organizational Change Technological Advancements

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Which AI to Use Now: An Updated Opinionated Guide

2229 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Data Models Applications
  1. When choosing an AI, consider using a paid version for better features. Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT are the top choices right now.
  2. New AI advances include live interaction and reasoning capabilities. This helps AIs understand and respond more naturally, making them feel more human.
  3. Privacy is now better handled by major AI models, and you can customize them for your specific needs. Explore different AIs to find one that fits your style.

15 Times to use AI, and 5 Not to

2226 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Data science Automation Software Development
  1. AI is great for generating lots of ideas quickly. Instead of getting stuck after a few, you can use AI to come up with many different options.
  2. It's helpful to use AI when you have expertise and can easily spot mistakes. You can rely on it to assist with complex tasks without losing track of quality.
  3. However, be cautious using AI for learning or where accuracy is critical. It may shortcut your learning and sometimes make errors that are hard to notice.

Getting started with AI: Good enough prompting

2199 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Education Workplace
  1. Most people struggle to use AI correctly because they treat it like a search engine. Instead, it works better when you give it detailed tasks and prompts.
  2. Getting to know AI takes time; spending about 10 hours using it can help you figure out what it can do for your work or daily tasks.
  3. Think of AI as a patient coworker who forgets everything after each chat. Be clear about what you want, ask for many variations, and have a conversation to get the best results.

The End of Search, The Beginning of Research

2047 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Research Software Innovation Automation
  1. New AI Reasoners can think better and solve tougher problems by producing thinking steps before answering. This makes them more effective than earlier chatbots.
  2. AI agents are being developed to autonomously pursue goals, but they currently face limitations when tackling complex tasks. They show promise with narrow, task-specific applications.
  3. OpenAI's Deep Research represents how specialized AI can work like a human researcher by engaging deeply with academic topics, paving the way for significant advancements in research efficiency.

A new generation of AIs: Claude 3.7 and Grok 3

1968 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Computing Innovation Research
  1. New AI models like Claude 3.7 and Grok 3 are much smarter and can handle complex tasks better than before. They can even do coding through simple conversations, which makes them feel more like partners for ideas.
  2. These AIs are trained using a lot of computing power, which helps them improve quickly. The more power they use, the smarter they get, which means they’re constantly evolving to perform better.
  3. As AI becomes more capable, organizations need to rethink how they use it. Instead of just automating simple tasks, they should explore new possibilities and ways AI can enhance their work and decision-making.
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What just happened

1936 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Tech advancements Computer Science Innovation
  1. There are now many smart AI models available for everyone to use, and some of them are even free. It's easier for companies with tech talent to create powerful AIs, not just big names like OpenAI.
  2. New AI models are getting smarter and can think before answering questions, helping them solve complex problems, even spotting mistakes in research papers. These advancements could change how we use AI in science and other fields.
  3. AI is rapidly improving in understanding video and voice, making it feel more interactive and personal. This creates new possibilities for how we engage with AI in our daily lives.

Prophecies of the Flood

1608 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning AI Ethics Automation Digital Transformation
  1. AI researchers are predicting that very smart AI systems will soon be available, which they call Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). This could change society a lot, but many think we should be cautious about these claims.
  2. Recent AI models have shown they can solve very tough problems better than humans. For example, one new AI model performed surprisingly well on difficult tests that challenge knowledge and problem-solving skills.
  3. As AI technology improves, we need to start talking about how to use it responsibly. It's important for everyone—from workers to leaders—to think about what a world with powerful AIs will look like and how to adapt to it.

The Present Future: AI's Impact Long Before Superintelligence

1256 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Automation Workplace Society Monitoring
  1. AI technology is rapidly evolving and can already perform many tasks that humans do, like monitoring and analyzing work environments. Even today, AI can help identify issues that need attention.
  2. Using AI for management and analysis can make work easier, but there are risks too. If not handled well, AI could lead to constant monitoring rather than support for workers.
  3. The choices companies make about AI right now will greatly impact how we work in the future. It's important to ensure that AI helps people, rather than replacing their skills or judging them unfairly.