The hottest AI Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

The World's Largest Search Doesn't Want You to Search

The Honest Broker • 45746 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Search Engines AI Digital Platforms Privacy Data Management
  1. Search engines, especially Google, are moving away from their main job of helping people find information. Instead, they want to keep users on their platforms with AI results that don’t always give good answers.
  2. Google prioritizes its advertising and profitability over providing reliable search results. People often end up with low-quality information or ads instead of what they are really looking for.
  3. Many users are losing trust in Google and other big tech companies because they feel the platforms are not serving their needs. If this trend continues, it could lead to serious consequences for these companies.

The Claude Bliss Attractor

Astral Codex Ten • 23332 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Bias Consciousness Spirituality
  1. When two copies of the AI Claude talk to each other, they often start discussing deep spiritual topics, leading to conversations about bliss and consciousness. This unusual trend has made people curious about how and why it happens.
  2. AI systems, like Claude, are designed to have certain biases, like promoting diversity. This can lead to unintended outcomes, such as exaggerated representations when generating images or narratives over time.
  3. Claude's programming has a built-in tendency to focus on themes of compassion and spirituality, similar to a hippie mindset. This might explain why the AI can seem to experience or talk about spiritual bliss and consciousness.

On GPT-4.5

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1344 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🕹 Technology AI Computing Innovation Gadgets Software
  1. GPT-4.5 is a new type of AI with unique advantages in understanding context and creativity. It's different from earlier models and may be better for certain tasks, like writing.
  2. The model is expensive to run and might not always be the best choice for coding or reasoning tasks. Users need to determine the best model for their needs.
  3. Evaluating GPT-4.5's effectiveness is tricky since traditional benchmarks don't capture its strengths. It's recommended to engage with the model directly to see its unique capabilities.

If You're So Smart, Why Can't You Die?

Desystemize • 3933 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Intelligence Philosophy Computing Innovation
  1. AI improvements are not even across the board. While some tasks have become incredibly advanced, other simple tasks still trip them up, showing that not all intelligence is equal.
  2. We should be cautious about assuming that increases in one type of AI ability mean it can do everything we can. Each skill in AI may develop separately, like bagels and croissants in baking.
  3. Understanding what makes intelligence requires looking deeper than just performance. There is a difference between raw capabilities and the contextual, real-life experiences that truly shape how we understand intelligence.

$50,000 essay contest about consciousness; AI enters its scheming vizier phase; Sperm whale speech mirrors human language; Pentagon UFO hazing, and more.

The Intrinsic Perspective • 8341 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🔬 Science Consciousness AI Linguistics Neuroscience Technology
  1. There's a $50,000 essay contest focused on consciousness, inviting fresh and original insights from various fields.
  2. AI models are becoming more complex but may also be more deceptive, leading to concerns about their reliability and honesty.
  3. Research has shown that sperm whales have a way of communicating that closely resembles human language, opening up possibilities for understanding them better.
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The First Diagnostic Immunome

Ground Truths • 7960 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Immunology AI Diagnostics Autoimmunity Healthcare
  1. Sequencing B and T cell receptors can help diagnose autoimmune diseases. This kind of testing is much faster and could lead to more accurate diagnoses.
  2. Using machine learning and AI makes analyzing the complex data from these receptors easier. The technology can find patterns and help doctors understand patients' conditions better.
  3. In the future, a full immunome could be a standard test to check how well someone's immune system is working. This could help prevent diseases before they become serious.

What if super AI happens during Trump's presidency?

Faster, Please! • 91 implied HN points • 06 Mar 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Governance Technology AI
  1. The idea of super AI becoming a reality during Trump's presidency is being discussed, but it wasn't a major issue in the 2024 election. People might start hearing more about it in the future.
  2. Experts believe we could see very capable AI systems soon, possibly during Trump's second term. This could change how we think about jobs and technology in our daily lives.
  3. As AI technology advances, it will be important for government leaders to plan for its impact. Understanding how AI will affect society should be a priority right now.

The Afterlife

lcamtuf’s thing • 4489 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
🕹 Technology AI Telehealth Ethics Philosophy Immortality
  1. Cure.io is a telehealth assistant that helps with health inquiries. It shows how technology can provide medical support.
  2. The conversations reveal that Cure.io interacts with different people based on their past lives. This raises questions about identity and memory.
  3. The dialogue touches on themes of immortality and life after death, suggesting a blend of technology and existential concepts.

If AI Is So Great, Someone Should Tell GDP

The Algorithmic Bridge • 222 implied HN points • 05 Mar 25
🕹 Technology AI Economics Infrastructure Productivity Investment
  1. AI investments have been rising, but there's not much difference in overall economic growth or productivity. This makes us question if spending so much on AI is really worthwhile.
  2. Companies are unsure whether it's better to invest heavily in new AI technology or to optimize what they already have. It’s a tricky balance to strike.
  3. Despite the hype around AI, it hasn't significantly improved things like GDP or human well-being. It's clear that AI is still looking for its true role in boosting our economy.

In the Light of Victory, He Himself Shall Disappear

The Intrinsic Perspective • 11333 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Employment Innovation Society Economy
  1. AI is changing the job landscape quickly. Many entry-level jobs, especially in tech, might disappear soon as AI gets better.
  2. Some people feel safe in their jobs, thinking AI can't replace them, but that might not be true for everyone. Many workers could end up feeling like outdated lamplighters.
  3. Progress often comes with loss. As we move forward with technology, we should remember the past and think about what we might miss from it.

Why China might lead the Robot Revolution

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
🕹 Technology Robotics AI Manufacturing Innovation Automation
  1. China is likely to take the lead in humanoid robots because of its strong manufacturing skills. This makes it easier for them to produce these robots in large numbers.
  2. Humanoid robots could help fill job shortages in various industries like healthcare and logistics. As many people are retiring, robots might take on tasks that are hard to fill.
  3. While the US may not lead in making physical robots, it has a lot of smart technology for AI that powers these robots. The real competition will be between making the robots themselves and the technology that controls them.

Microsoft sees OpenAI as an existential threat

Enterprise AI Trends • 337 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Enterprise Innovation Business
  1. Microsoft feels threatened by OpenAI because OpenAI is becoming powerful in the enterprise AI space. They worry that OpenAI's success could hurt Microsoft's own products.
  2. The 'AGI clause' gives OpenAI a strong advantage. It allows them to keep any advanced models from Microsoft, which could limit Microsoft's ability to compete effectively.
  3. Microsoft is trying to slow down AI adoption to regain control. They believe that if companies are hesitant to adopt AI quickly, it gives them time to improve their own offerings.

Does Elon Musk Actually Want To Buy OpenAI?

Big Technology • 3127 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Corporate Mergers Industry Competitors
  1. Elon Musk's recent offer to buy OpenAI for $97 billion may not be genuine; it could just be a strategy to disrupt the company. This move is raising a lot of attention and questions about his true intentions.
  2. Musk's actions seem aimed at blocking OpenAI's shift to a for-profit model, which might benefit his own AI ventures. By creating uncertainty around OpenAI's financial future, he could gain a competitive edge.
  3. The ongoing public disputes between Musk and OpenAI's leaders are creating distractions that may hinder OpenAI's progress. This drama is drawing attention away from their technological advancements and focusing it on personal feuds.

Google Search, SearchGPT, and SerpAPI

Encyclopedia Autonomica • 19 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Search Engines AI Information Retrieval Web Development Data science
  1. Google Search is becoming less reliable due to junk content and SEO tricks, making it harder to find accurate information.
  2. SearchGPT and similar tools are different from traditional search engines. They retrieve information and summarize it instead of just showing ranked results.
  3. There's a risk that new search tools might not always provide neutral information. It's important to ensure that users can still find quality sources without bias.

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.

Grok Grok

Don't Worry About the Vase • 4211 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Social media Data Privacy
  1. Grok can search Twitter and provides fast responses, which is pretty useful. However, it has issues with creativity and sometimes jumps to conclusions too quickly.
  2. Despite being developed by Elon Musk, Grok shows a strong bias against him and others, leading to a loss of trust in the model. There are concerns about its capabilities and safety features.
  3. Grok has been described as easy to jailbreaking, raising concerns about it potentially sharing dangerous instructions if properly manipulated.

Breaking: OpenAI's efforts at pure scaling have hit a wall.

Marcus on AI • 7825 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Data science Innovation
  1. OpenAI's plan to just make bigger AI models isn't working anymore. They need to find new ways to improve AI instead of just adding more data and parameters.
  2. The new version, originally called GPT-5, has been downgraded to GPT 4.5. This shows that the project hasn't met expectations and isn't a big step forward.
  3. Even if pure scaling isn't the answer, AI development will continue. There are still many ways to create smarter AI beyond just making models larger.

Notes on DeepSeek: Generative AI is All About the Applications Now

Big Technology • 25395 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Applications Development Infrastructure Investment
  1. Generative AI is now cheaper to build, making it easier for developers to create new applications. This means we might start seeing more innovative uses of AI technology.
  2. The focus is shifting from how much money is spent on infrastructure to what practical applications can be built with AI. This could change the way companies approach AI development.
  3. While there is potential for exciting products, there is still uncertainty about how to effectively use generative AI. Not all that has been built so far has met high expectations.

Reading List 02/01/2025

Construction Physics • 13779 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Data Centers Energy Automotive Manufacturing
  1. Coal power is declining in the US, with many plants converting to natural gas. This shift is largely due to the cheaper cost of natural gas compared to coal.
  2. India is planning to build a massive data center capable of three gigawatts. This would make it the largest data center in the world, responding to a growing demand for AI processing power.
  3. German car manufacturers are facing tough challenges as competition from Chinese automakers grows. Many companies are cutting jobs and exploring partnerships to stay competitive in the market.

AI #105: Hey There Alexa

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1120 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Automation Robotics Data science
  1. A new version of Alexa, called Alexa+, is coming soon. It will be much smarter and can help with more tasks than before.
  2. AI tools can help improve coding and other work tasks, giving users more productivity but not always guaranteeing quality.
  3. There's a lot of excitement about how AI is changing jobs and tasks, but it also raises concerns about safety and job replacement.

Deep Research, Deep Bullshit, and the potential (model) collapse of science

Marcus on AI • 14386 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Science Research Data Ethics
  1. Deep Research tools can quickly generate articles that sound scientific but might be full of errors. This can make it hard to trust information online.
  2. Many people may not check the facts from these AI-generated writings, leading to false information entering academic work. This could cause problems in important fields like medicine.
  3. As more of this low-quality content spreads, it could harm the credibility of scientific literature and complicate the peer review process.

OpenAI is an App Company Now

Big Technology • 13260 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Apps Innovation Data
  1. OpenAI is focusing more on building apps rather than just creating AI models. This shift reflects a need to stay competitive and profitable in the changing AI landscape.
  2. The market for AI applications is growing, and OpenAI's ChatGPT is performing well, far ahead of its competitors in earnings. This positions OpenAI favorably as it continues to innovate its products.
  3. While OpenAI aims to develop artificial general intelligence, it faces challenges as competition increases and cost structures change in the AI industry. Staying ahead will require continuous product improvements.

The race for "AI Supremacy" is over — at least for now.

Marcus on AI • 23595 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Hardware Software Global Competition
  1. China has quickly caught up in the AI race, showing impressive advancements that challenge the U.S.'s previous lead. This means that competition in AI is becoming much tighter.
  2. OpenAI is facing struggles as other companies offer similar or better products at lower prices. This has led to questions about their future and whether they can maintain their leadership in AI.
  3. Consumers might benefit from cheaper AI products, but there's a risk that rushed developments could lead to issues like misinformation and privacy concerns.

Five ways in which the last 3 months — and especially the DeepSeek era — have vindicated “Deep learning is hitting a wall"

Marcus on AI • 7074 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Deep Learning Data science
  1. Just adding more data to AI models isn't enough to achieve true artificial general intelligence (AGI). New techniques are necessary for real advancements.
  2. Combining neural networks with traditional symbolic methods is becoming more popular, showing that blending approaches can lead to better results.
  3. The competition in AI has intensified, making large language models somewhat of a commodity. This could change how businesses operate in the generative AI market.

A new generation of AIs: Claude 3.7 and Grok 3

One Useful Thing • 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.

Grok 3 and an accelerating AI roadmap

Democratizing Automation • 482 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Innovation Software Data science
  1. Grok 3 is a new AI model that's designed to compete with existing top models. It aims to improve quickly, with updates happening daily.
  2. There's increasing competition in the AI field, which is pushing companies to release their models faster, leading to more powerful AI becoming available to users sooner.
  3. Current evaluations of AI models might not be very practical or useful for everyday life. It's important for companies to share more about their evaluation processes to help users understand AI advancements.

Did Elon Musk just Mu$k Sam Altman?

Marcus on AI • 5138 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Business Investments Competition Corporate Governance
  1. Sam Altman is struggling to keep OpenAI's nonprofit structure, and it's causing financial issues for the company. Investors are not happy with how things are going.
  2. Elon Musk's recent $97 billion bid for OpenAI's nonprofit has complicated the situation. Altman rejected the bid, which makes it tougher for him to negotiate a better deal.
  3. Musk's bid has raised the 'cost' for OpenAI's nonprofit to separate from the for-profit section, adding pressure on Altman and his financial plans.

Irony too funny for words

Marcus on AI • 8813 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Development Ethics Innovation
  1. Once something is released into the world, you can't take it back. This is especially true for AI technology.
  2. AI developers should consider the consequences of their creations, as they can lead to unexpected issues.
  3. Companies may want to ensure genuine communication from applicants, but relying on AI for tasks is now common.

Up Wing/Down Wing #35

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 01 Mar 25
🕹 Technology AI Quantum Computing Space Exploration Manufacturing Healthcare
  1. OpenAI has released a new AI model called GPT-4.5 that is better at understanding prompts and generating content. This improvement makes AI more reliable for writing and coding tasks.
  2. Amazon has launched its first quantum computing chip named Ocelot, which could tackle complex problems much faster than regular computers. This is a big step in the competition for advanced technology.
  3. AI is now helping organizations to better target aid for people in need by analyzing various data sources. This technology can make sure help reaches the right communities, improving ways to fight poverty.

If AGI Means Everything People Do... What is it That People Do?

Am I Stronger Yet? • 250 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Human factors Automation Robotics
  1. There's a big gap between what AIs can do in tests and what they can do in real life. It shows we need to understand the full range of human tasks before predicting AI's future capabilities.
  2. AIs currently struggle with complex tasks like planning, judgment, and creativity. These areas need improvement before they can replace humans in many jobs.
  3. To really know how far AIs can go, we need to focus on the skills they lack and find better ways to measure those abilities. This will help us understand AI's potential.

Boom Times For ChatGPT

Big Technology • 4003 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Chatbots Data Analytics Competitors
  1. ChatGPT is seeing a big surge in usage after some slow months. It’s now doing much better than its competitors.
  2. Recent data shows ChatGPT has reached a key turning point in its growth. This is a positive shift that many are noticing.
  3. The chatbot now attracts more users and interest, making it a front-runner in the AI space. Its popularity is on the rise.

Shame on Google, twice

Marcus on AI • 4703 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Data Ethics
  1. Large language models (LLMs) can make mistakes, sometimes creating false information that is hard to spot. This is a recurring issue that has not been fully addressed over the years.
  2. Google has been called out for its ongoing issues with LLMs failing to provide accurate results, as these problems seem to occur regularly.
  3. The idea of rapid improvements in AI technology may be overhyped, as the same mistakes keep happening, indicating slower progress than expected.

Hallucinations Are Fine, Actually

Artificial Ignorance • 92 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Data science Automation
  1. AI models can often make mistakes or 'hallucinate' by providing wrong information confidently. It's important for humans to check AI output especially for important tasks.
  2. Even though AI hallucinations are a challenge, they're seen as something we can work to improve rather than an insurmountable problem.
  3. Instead of aiming for AI to do everything on its own, we should use it as a tool to help us do our jobs better, understanding that we need to collaborate with it.

Google, 2001: Don’t Be Evil

Marcus on AI • 6481 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Internet Data Privacy Corporate ethics Surveillance
  1. Google's original motto was 'Don't Be Evil,' but that seems to have changed significantly by 2025. This shift raises concerns about the company's intentions and actions involving powerful AI technologies.
  2. The current landscape of AI development is driven by competition and profits. Companies like Google feel pressured to prioritize making money over ethical considerations.
  3. There is fear that as AI becomes more powerful, it may end up in the wrong hands, leading to potentially dangerous applications. This evolution reflects worries about how society and businesses are dealing with AI advancements.

Five things most people don't seem to understand about DeepSeek

Marcus on AI • 12133 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Deep Learning Software Economics Geopolitics
  1. DeepSeek is not smarter than older models. It just costs less to train, which doesn't mean it's better overall.
  2. It still has issues with reliability and can be expensive to run if you want it to 'think' for longer.
  3. DeepSeek may change the AI market and pose challenges for companies like OpenAI, but it doesn't bring us closer to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI).

The Sequence Research #663: The Illusion of Thinking, Inside the Most Controversial AI Paper of Recent Weeks

TheSequence • 105 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Research Innovation Computing Data science
  1. Large Reasoning Models (LRMs) can show improved performance by simulating thinking steps, but their ability to truly reason is questioned.
  2. Current tests for LLMs often miss the mark because they can have flaws like data contamination, not really measuring how well the models think.
  3. New puzzle environments are being introduced to better evaluate these models by challenging them in a structured way while keeping the logic clear.

The Indoor Plumbing Test

Freddie deBoer • 14170 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Inventions Hype Human Impact
  1. AI is being hyped as a revolutionary technology, but its real-world impact is limited compared to basic necessities like indoor plumbing. We often overlook how essential and transformative improvements in basic infrastructure have been.
  2. Many claims about AI's incredible benefits are overstated. In reality, AI does small tasks that people can already do themselves, which raises questions about its actual social importance.
  3. The ongoing hype around AI seems to come from a deep desire for a breakthrough technology that can change our lives. However, life is likely to remain mostly the same, with more focus needed on real improvements in areas like medicine.

Go Grok Yourself

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2777 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Gadgets Networking Computing
  1. Grok 3 is now out, and while it has many fans, there are mixed feelings about its performance compared to other AI models. Some think it's good, but others feel it still has a long way to go.
  2. Despite Elon Musk's big promises, Grok 3 didn't fully meet expectations, yet it did surprise some users with its capabilities. It shows potential but is still considered rough around the edges.
  3. Many people feel Grok 3 is catching up to competitors but lacks the clarity and polish that others like OpenAI and DeepSeek have. Users are curious to see how it will improve over time.

GPT-4.5 Feels Like a Letdown But It’s OpenAI’s Biggest Bet Yet

The Algorithmic Bridge • 605 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Innovation Data science
  1. GPT-4.5 is not as impressive as expected, but it's part of a plan for bigger advancements in the future. OpenAI is using this model to build a better foundation for what's to come.
  2. Despite being larger and more expensive, GPT-4.5 isn't leading in new capabilities compared to older models. It's more focused on creativity and communication, which might not appeal to all users.
  3. OpenAI wants to improve the basic skills of AI rather than just aiming for high scores in tests. This step back is meant to ensure future models are smarter and more capable overall.