The hottest AI Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Paris AI Summit Train Wreck

Marcus on AI • 3003 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Regulation Events Global Issues Public Policy
  1. The Paris AI Summit did not meet expectations and left many attendees unhappy for various reasons. People felt that it was poorly organized.
  2. A draft statement prepared for the summit was criticized, with concerns that it would let leaders avoid making real commitments to addressing AI risks. Many believed it was more of a PR move than genuine action.
  3. Despite the chaos, French President Macron seemed to be the only one enjoying the situation. Overall, many felt it was a missed opportunity to discuss important AI issues.

AI & Python #29: Python Projects You Can Finish in a Weekend

Artificial Corner • 198 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software AI Education Development
  1. Working on Python projects is important because it helps you apply what you've learned. It's a great way to connect theory to practice and improve your coding skills.
  2. The article suggests projects for both beginners and advanced users, which helps cater to different skill levels. Starting with easier projects can build confidence before tackling more complex ones.
  3. Completing projects can also boost your motivation and help you create a portfolio. This can be really useful when looking for job opportunities or trying to showcase your skills.

OpenAI Cries Foul

Marcus on AI • 8655 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Intellectual Property Data Privacy Digital ethics Software Development
  1. DeepSeek might have broken OpenAI's rules by using their ideas without permission. This raises questions about respect for intellectual property in tech.
  2. OpenAI itself may have done similar things to other platforms and creators in the past. This situation highlights a double standard.
  3. There's a sense of irony in seeing OpenAI in a tough spot now, after it benefited from similar practices. It shows how karma can come back around.

Let's Talk DeepSeek, AI, Etc. on Big Technology's New Discord Server

Big Technology • 5379 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Discord Communication Social media Technology News
  1. A new Discord server has been launched for Big Technology's paid subscribers. It aims to create a space for discussions about recent tech news.
  2. The Discord will allow members to share ideas and communicate more easily. It's a chance to connect with each other and tackle current tech stories together.
  3. If you're a paid subscriber, you can join through a special link. If you want to participate, signing up will give you access to the Discord server.

Weekly Top Picks #100

The Algorithmic Bridge • 148 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🕹 Technology AI Newsletter Publishing Content creation Online Communities
  1. The weekly newsletter just reached its 100th edition, so instead of the usual picks, there's an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session this time.
  2. You can ask about anything related to AI, newsletter writing, or even personal opinions that might spark discussion.
  3. The author encourages open questions and suggests that using tools like ChatGPT can help in forming inquiries.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Build AI or Be Buried By Those Who Do

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 3574 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Innovation Automation Data science
  1. There are three main views on AI: believers who think it will change everything for the better, skeptics who see it as just fancy technology, and doomers who worry it could end badly for humanity. Each group has different ideas about what AI will mean for the future.
  2. The belief among AI believers is that AI will become a big part of our lives, doing many tasks better than humans and reshaping many industries. They see it as a revolutionary change that will be everywhere.
  3. Many think that if we don’t build our own AI, the narrative and values that shape AI will be dominated by one ideology, which could be harmful. The idea is that we need balanced development of AI, representing different views to ensure freedom and diversity in thought.

How to destroy a world

Data People Etc. • 53 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Data science Software Systems Influencers
  1. Frameworks can be used for both building and breaking worlds. It's important to understand how to exploit weaknesses in these structures.
  2. To weaken a dominant system, you can undermine its narrative, disrupt key players, and challenge established norms. This approach can create doubts and resistance.
  3. Destroying a world can teach us about resilience. Strengthening systems and protocols is crucial to support and maintain their relevance in changing times.

Money, Drama, and China: Why AI’s Next Step Could Be Messy

Big Technology • 6880 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Open Source Startups Investment Competition
  1. A new AI model called DeepSeek is cheaper and efficient, potentially making big investments in AI technology seem unnecessary. This raises questions about how much companies should really spend on AI.
  2. DeepSeek's success is surprising since it was developed in China, challenging the notion that good tech only comes from big investments in the West. Its ability to compete shows that smaller companies can innovate effectively.
  3. This development might shift the AI landscape significantly. Big players like OpenAI may need to rethink their approaches to stay competitive, especially now that cheaper models are proving their worth.

Deep Into the Depths

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 339 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Research Innovation Computer Science
  1. AI tools have started using the term 'deep' to suggest they dig into more complex information, but this may often not be the case. Many still just skim the surface instead of really exploring.
  2. While AI is getting better at research by gathering information quickly, true deep research requires more human-like exploration and understanding. It's about going beyond just looking up facts.
  3. Don't be fooled by the hype around AI's 'deep research' capabilities. They are useful, but they aren't as profound or groundbreaking as some might claim.

Nebius Part 1: the Smooth (Developer) Operator

Interconnected • 277 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Cloud Computing Developer Tools Investment Tech Companies
  1. Nebius is focused on creating a smooth experience for developers. They make it easy for developers to start using their platform without unnecessary steps, which is important for building cool AI projects.
  2. The company has a strong background thanks to its roots in Yandex, which gives it experience in running cloud services effectively. This experience helps Nebius offer a wide range of cloud solutions, not just GPU rentals.
  3. While some may worry about Nebius's Russian connections, the company has distanced itself from that past. With significant funding and a solid road ahead, it seems ready to grow and succeed free from those burdens.

Back to the Future with Gordon Moore

The Chip Letter • 5897 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Semiconductors AI Innovation Computing Industry Trends
  1. Technology changes rapidly, but some issues, like how to effectively use computing power, seem to stay the same. This means we often find ourselves asking similar questions about the future of tech.
  2. Gordon Moore's insights from years ago still apply today, especially his thoughts on competition and applications for technology. He pointed out the need for practical uses of increased computing power.
  3. Concerns about technology making us 'stupid' remain relevant. However, it's more about using computers without losing understanding of basic principles than about being incapable of learning new skills.

Thought bubble: I am pleased to report that AI is now a better poet than William McGonagall

Wyclif's Dust • 1877 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
📚 Literature Poetry AI History Creative Writing Technology
  1. AI has improved a lot in writing poetry and can now create impressive pieces that rival some human authors. This means anyone can reach a decent level of poetic skill using AI.
  2. Different AI models produce varying quality in poetry, with some showing more creativity and better structure than others. It's interesting to compare how each AI interprets and writes about the same topic.
  3. The development of AI in creative fields could raise the overall skill level in those areas, making it easier for everyone to write poetry well, but true expert poets will still stand out.

𝗔𝗜 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲! My conversation with China’s Victor Gao plus a hot take on new essay by Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei

Marcus on AI • 4979 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Geopolitics Innovation Startups Export Controls
  1. In the race for AI, China is catching up to the U.S. despite export controls. This shows that innovation can thrive under pressure.
  2. DeepSeek suggests we can achieve AI advancements with fewer resources than previously thought. Efficient ideas might trump just having lots of technology.
  3. Instead of just funding big companies, we need to support smaller, innovative startups. Better ideas can lead to more successful technology than just having more money.

The hard thing about building AI applications

Generating Conversation • 140 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Product Design User Experience
  1. Good AI should figure things out for you before you even ask. It should make your life easier by anticipating what you need without requiring a lot of input.
  2. Trust is key for AI systems. They should be honest about what they don't know and explain their level of confidence. This helps users rely on them more.
  3. AI should take complex information and boil it down to what's important and easy to understand. It should help you find insights quickly without overwhelming you with details.

The Knowledge Illusion

In Bed With Social • 416 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🚌 Education Learning Knowledge Technology AI Critical Thinking
  1. AI can provide quick answers, but this doesn't lead to real understanding. It's important to engage in learning actively to truly grasp the knowledge.
  2. The value of knowledge is changing with technology. While access to information is easier now, it can lead to shallow thinking if we rely on AI too much.
  3. Learning should be about growth, not just getting answers. We should use AI to inspire deeper questions and foster our critical thinking instead.

On OpenAI's Model Spec 2.0

Don't Worry About the Vase • 985 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Data Ethics Tech Policy
  1. OpenAI's Model Spec 2.0 introduces a structured command chain that prioritizes platform rules over individual developer and user instructions. This hierarchy helps ensure safety and performance in AI interactions.
  2. The updated rules emphasize the importance of preventing harm while still aiming to assist users in achieving their goals. This means the AI should avoid generating illegal or harmful content.
  3. There are notable improvements in clarity and detail compared to previous versions, like defining what content is prohibited and reinforcing user privacy. However, concerns remain about potential misuse of the system by those with access to higher-level rules.

A few charts on where AI adoption is going

Tanay’s Newsletter • 113 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Adoption Models Business Consulting
  1. The cost of using advanced AI models has dropped dramatically, making it easier for businesses to experiment and integrate AI into their products. This change opens up new possibilities for reaching millions of users.
  2. Reinforcement learning is proving effective for tasks with clear outcomes, which could lead to better performance of AI models over time. As these models improve, we can expect more widespread use of AI.
  3. The journey to adopting AI takes time, but it's happening faster than past innovations like electricity or telephones. Today, a significant portion of people are regularly using AI tools.

‘We Were Wrong’

Magic + Loss • 159 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Internet Media AI Nostalgia Culture
  1. WIRED's first website, HotWired, launched the digital age by covering topics that traditional media missed. It helped introduce many people to the online world.
  2. The internet has evolved into a chaotic space filled with dangers like misinformation, cybercrime, and trolls. This raises the question of whether it was handled well from the start.
  3. Even though WIRED helped shape the internet, it recognizes its role in the problems that have emerged over the years and reflects on how things might have been different.

AI-generated Anki cards are not to be trusted

De Novo • 121 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🚌 Education Learning Memory Technology AI Biology
  1. AI-generated Anki cards can have mistakes that may lead to learning incorrect information. It's important to double-check AI content, especially on complex topics.
  2. Relying on AI for learning new material may not be wise, as it could lead to errors that are not obvious at first glance.
  3. Even when asking different AI systems to review the same content, they can miss errors or indicate correct information as wrong. Human oversight is crucial.

Using AI: Queries, Conversations, and Projects

In My Tribe • 303 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Human-computer interaction Software Development Educational Technology
  1. A conversation with AI is different from simply asking a question. You can explore topics more deeply and learn from the back-and-forth interaction.
  2. Using AI for projects is essential to becoming skilled with it. It’s like doing a group assignment, where you can create something together.
  3. Providing clear instructions and materials to AI helps it assist you better. Treating it like a partner, rather than just a tool, can lead to better results.

Deep Research, information vs. insight, and the nature of science

Democratizing Automation • 760 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Science Research Innovation Computing
  1. AI will change how scientists work by speeding up research and helping with complex math and coding. This means scientists will need to ask the right questions to get the most out of these tools.
  2. While AI can process a lot of information quickly, it can't create real insights or make new discoveries on its own. It works best when used to make existing scientific progress faster.
  3. The rise of AI in science may change traditional practices and institutions. We need to rethink how research is done, especially how quickly new knowledge is produced compared to how long it takes to review that knowledge.

Defending Open Source AI Against the Monopolist, the Jingoist, the Doomer and the Idiot

Future History • 200 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Open Source AI Innovation Policy Economics
  1. Open source software, like Linux, is crucial for innovation and economic growth. If it were starting today, too many restrictions could hurt its potential.
  2. Different groups, like monopolists and jingoists, try to control technology by spreading fear or misinformation. This can lead to laws that stifle competition and creativity.
  3. It's important to support open source AI to encourage fairness and competition. When more people can innovate, technology can improve everyone's lives.

DeepSeek: What the Headlines Miss

ChinaTalk • 4121 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Geopolitics Export Controls Computing
  1. Export restrictions on AI chips only recently started, so it’s too soon to judge their effectiveness. The new chips might still perform well for AI tasks, keeping development ongoing.
  2. DeepSeek's advancements in efficiency show that machine learning can get cheaper over time. It’s possible for smaller companies to do more with less, but bigger companies benefits from these efficiencies too.
  3. The gap in computing power between the US and China is significant. DeepSeek admits they need much more computing power than US companies to achieve similar results due to export controls.

Nebius Part 2: Cash, Optionalities, Challenges

Interconnected • 200 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
💼 Business Investment Startups Technology AI Market Trends
  1. Nebius has a strong cash position with around $3 billion and no debt, which helps it stand out in the competitive AI market. This cash allows the company to potentially grow without heavy financial pressure.
  2. The company's various assets, like Toloka and Avride, provide unique opportunities that could enhance Nebius's offerings and market position. Keeping some of these assets might lead to greater strategic advantages.
  3. Nebius faces challenges in a crowded market, especially in understanding how to best utilize its subsidiaries and in competing against larger cloud service providers. Its future success will depend on careful geographic and strategic planning.

The Mask Comes Off: A Trio of Tales

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2150 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Ethics Safety Regulations
  1. Sam Altman presents an overly optimistic view of AI's future while downplaying its risks. He talks about amazing advancements but doesn't address the potential dangers seriously.
  2. OpenAI claims it can design AI to complement humans instead of replacing them, but that seems unrealistic. Many believe there is no solid plan to prevent job losses caused by AI.
  3. Elon Musk's recent bid for OpenAI's nonprofit is more about raising its value than actually buying it. This move highlights concerns about how AI's future will be managed and whether profit motives will overshadow safety.

AI #103: Show Me the Money

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2374 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Data Innovation Automation Regulation
  1. The Paris AI Anti-Safety Summit failed to build on previous successes, leading to increased concerns about nationalism and lack of clear plans for AI safety. It's making people worried and hopeless.
  2. Elon Musk's huge bid for OpenAI's assets complicates the situation, especially as another bid threatens to overshadow the original efforts to secure AI's future.
  3. OpenAI is quickly releasing new versions of their models, which brings excitement but also skepticism about their true capabilities and risks.

Hot take on an AI catfight

Marcus on AI • 6165 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Infrastructure National Security Economics Environmental Impact
  1. OpenAI is launching a big project called The Stargate Project, which plans to invest $500 billion to improve AI infrastructure in the U.S. Over the next four years, they hope this will help the country's economy and national security.
  2. Elon Musk is skeptical about the funding and the true financial health of OpenAI. He suggests that previous promises may not hold true and questions whether this project will really benefit the American people.
  3. There are several uncertainties about this project, like whether developing AI will actually be profitable and how it might impact jobs. People worry if the profits will help everyone or just the rich, and if the U.S. can truly keep up with China's advancements in AI.

China on Dario, DeepSeeking Truth, Ali + DeepSeek, and a Procurement IP Manifesto

ChinaTalk • 281 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Internet China Data Security Censorship
  1. DeepSeek, a new Chinese AI model, is being seen as a serious competitor to U.S. AI in helping researchers gather information about China. However, it struggles to answer questions that cross different areas of knowledge.
  2. Many in China believe the U.S. has double standards regarding AI and security, saying that U.S. restrictions are more about keeping an edge in technology than genuine concerns for safety.
  3. DeepSeek is powerful for safe topics, but it has issues with censorship. It often can’t handle politically sensitive topics, making it less useful for in-depth research on controversial issues.

The latest open artifacts (#7): Alpaca era of reasoning models, China's continued dominance, and tons of multimodal advancements

Democratizing Automation • 63 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Open Source Data science Model development
  1. New datasets for deep learning models are appearing, but choosing the right one can be tricky.
  2. China is leading in AI advancements by releasing strong models with easy-to-use licenses.
  3. Many companies are developing reasoning models that improve problem-solving by using feedback and advanced training methods.

“Nvidia could soon take a serious hit, too”

Marcus on AI • 4228 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Market Trends Economics Tech Companies Data Analysis
  1. Nvidia's stock might be facing a big drop, which is a concern for investors. A decline over 10% indicates that something is going on in the market.
  2. The market can behave in unpredictable ways, and this uncertainty can be tough for investors to manage. Today might be a key moment in the stock market.
  3. Overall, the economics of generative AI can lead to unexpected changes, making it a wild area to watch for investors and tech enthusiasts.

Immortality and its Discontents

Nonzero Newsletter • 225 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Health Philosophy Politics Innovation
  1. There's a growing interest in immortality and how technology, like AI, could help us live longer. Some people believe that embracing these advancements is the key to a better future.
  2. Not everyone agrees with how some tech entrepreneurs are promoting longevity. Critics say their methods and products are often unproven and may not lead to the promised health benefits.
  3. Studies show that bad behavior learned in one area can spread to other areas, especially with AI. Just like in humans, training AI on negative examples can lead to undesirable outcomes in different contexts.

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.

The Impact of the Calibration Dataset for AutoRound and AWQ Quantization

The Kaitchup – AI on a Budget • 39 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Data science Machine Learning Quantization Model optimization
  1. Quantization helps reduce the size of large language models, making them easier to run, especially on consumer GPUs. For instance, using 4-bit quantization can shrink a model's size by about a third.
  2. Calibration datasets are crucial for improving the accuracy of quantization methods like AWQ and AutoRound. The choice of the dataset impacts how well the quantization performs.
  3. Most quantization tools use a default English-language dataset, but results can vary with different languages and datasets. Testing various options can lead to better outcomes.

We're Finding Out What Humans are Bad At

Am I Stronger Yet? • 799 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Computing Engineering Innovation Robotics
  1. Humans are not great at some tasks, especially ones like multiplication or certain physical jobs where machines excel. Evolution didn't prepare us for everything, so machines often outperform us in those areas.
  2. In tasks like chess, humans can still compete because strategy and judgment play a big role, even though computers are getting better. The game requires thinking skills that humans are good at, though computers can calculate much faster.
  3. AI is advancing quickly and becoming better at tasks we once thought were uniquely human, but there are still challenges. Some complex problems might always be easier for humans due to our unique brain abilities.

The Lamplighter Problem

Jeff Giesea • 718 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Automation Labor Economy Politics
  1. AI is likely to displace a huge number of jobs, similar to how lamplighters lost their roles when electric lights came in. We need to prepare for these changes now to help people transition to new work.
  2. The Lamplighter Problem shows us that job loss due to automation is not just an economic issue but also a political and social one. If we don’t address it, it could lead to bigger problems in society.
  3. There are different opinions on how to handle the rise of AI. Some people think we should slow down and reconsider, while others want to speed up its development. We need to find a balanced approach that helps everyone.

Talkin’ bout an AI Revolution: 3 scenarios

Faster, Please! • 365 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Economics Forecasting Trends
  1. By 2030, we might still be at the start of a major AI development period. It's okay because this means we have a lot of exciting advancements ahead.
  2. More traditional institutions, like big banks, are now seriously talking about AI. This shows that AI is becoming a big deal in the mainstream world, not just in tech circles.
  3. Experts believe that as AI keeps getting better, the 2020s could see various new economic and technological changes. This could change how we live and work in many ways.

Will Your AI Agent Be Your Friend or Lover Too?

Big Technology • 5003 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Companionship Innovation Relationships Ethics
  1. AI agents might become more than just helpers and could turn into friends or even romantic partners. This shift changes how we think about our relationships with technology.
  2. Apps like Replika are making AI companions more connected to our daily lives, helping us in personal ways like watching movies or suggesting breaks from social media.
  3. While AI companionship can help with loneliness, it also comes with risks and emotional challenges, highlighting the need for trust in these relationships.

xAI and DeepSeek Have Shattered the AI Industry’s Golden Tenet

The Algorithmic Bridge • 297 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Industry Infrastructure
  1. AI is going through ups and downs, with some people losing trust because the hype isn't matching reality. But just like with other big inventions, these struggles are normal.
  2. There's a debate in the AI community about whether the focus should be on building more powerful models or making them work better in real life. Each approach has its supporters.
  3. Even with AI's growth, some people are still worried about its impact on their daily lives, emphasizing the need to balance development with public concerns.

Claude Plays Pokémon

Teaching computers how to talk • 62 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Gaming Research Metrics Innovation
  1. AI playing games like Pokémon can show us how smart it really is. It might be better than other tests because games need quick thinking and problem solving.
  2. Recent projects like Claude playing Pokémon on Twitch highlight how slow and confused current AI can be. It took Claude a long time to beat just one part of the game.
  3. Today's AI tests often focus on math or coding, but playing games might give a clearer picture of intelligence. We should use games to see if AI can think and adapt like humans do.

What does slow AI look like?

The Sublime Newsletter • 1941 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Productivity Software Human-Computer Innovation
  1. People often feel stressed because productivity tools are designed to make us work faster, but that doesn't match how we naturally want to create things.
  2. Instead of rushing to produce more content quickly, we should focus on making fewer things but doing them better and with more care.
  3. It's okay to take time in the creative process; in fact, taking time can help us create something truly wonderful.