The hottest AI Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Marissa Mayer: I Am a Software Girl

Magic + Loss • 238 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Entrepreneurship Women in Tech
  1. Marissa Mayer sees AI as a bright and helpful force in our lives, rather than something dangerous or negative. She believes it can enhance family and social experiences.
  2. She has a strong opinion against feminism, feeling it is too militant and not focused on merit. She thinks being a geek is more important than gender roles.
  3. Mayer enjoys various topics like fashion and art, showing that she has a diverse range of interests outside her tech career.

You can’t build a moat with AI (redux)

Generating Conversation • 256 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Applications Data User Experience
  1. Using AI like LLMs isn't unique anymore. Just having AI in your product doesn't really set it apart from competitors.
  2. To really stand out, focus on making a great user experience and integrating your product into how users already work. This makes your tool more valuable and hard to replace.
  3. Data is crucial for AI. It's not just about having lots of data; it's about using it smartly over time to improve your product and understand your users better.

Dream Walking

the shimmering void • 69 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Media Interaction Philosophy Experience
  1. Interactions with technology, like AI, can feel like dreaming. You're connecting with something that brings out new ideas and perspectives, but you need to stay aware of the reality around you.
  2. When you ask AI questions, think of it like summoning a spirit. Each inquiry draws different responses, and being clear about what you want is crucial to avoid confusion or misunderstandings.
  3. Navigating this digital space requires a balance of trust and caution. It's important to explore new ideas while also being mindful of how they might influence your thoughts and beliefs.

Which AI to Use Now: An Updated Opinionated Guide

One Useful Thing • 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.

How to Do Soul-Craft with State Tools

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 1088 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🎭️ Culture Literacy Technology Education Cognition AI
  1. Writing started as a tool for controlling people and managing resources, not for storytelling. It helped governments keep track of what was going on in society.
  2. Getting everyone to be able to read took a long time and a lot of changes in how writing works. It went from a complex system to something much simpler and easier for people to learn.
  3. Reading isn't something we naturally do; it requires special training of our brains. If we don't keep investing in literacy, it could easily disappear and only be accessible to a few people.
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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.

Last Week in AI #292 - Meta's AI Artifacts, Perplexity's billions, xAI API launch

Last Week in AI • 238 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Research Startups Innovation
  1. Meta's AI research team released eight new tools and models to help advance AI technology. This includes new language models and tools for faster processing.
  2. Perplexity AI is seeking a $9 billion valuation as it continues to grow in the AI search market, despite facing some plagiarism accusations from major media outlets.
  3. Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, launched an API for its generative AI model Grok, allowing developers to connect it with external tools like databases and search engines.

Open Thread 382

Astral Codex Ten • 1170 implied HN points • 19 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Startups Research
  1. There are meetups happening this week in Oxford, Shanghai, and Austin where people can connect and share ideas.
  2. A few fellowships are available for those interested in AI safety and reasoning, with opportunities to work and collaborate in the Bay Area.
  3. Grants are being offered for projects that explore how AI can support open inquiry, encouraging creative and innovative approaches.

The Software Engineer with Alzheimer's

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Development Education Innovation
  1. AI, like Claude, struggles with memory, especially remembering recent conversations. It's important to find ways to manage this limitation to keep projects on track.
  2. Maintaining state is a key challenge for AI development, which affects how well an AI can serve as a personal assistant. This functionality isn't expected to improve quickly.
  3. AI technology can be very useful, and while people may doubt its potential, history shows that dismissing new tech often proves wrong.

What comes next with reinforcement learning

Democratizing Automation • 435 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Reinforcement Learning Data science Software Development
  1. Reinforcement learning (RL) is getting better at solving tougher tasks, but it's not easy. There's a need for new discoveries and improvements to make these complex tasks manageable.
  2. Continual learning is important for AI, but it raises concerns about safety and can lead to unintended consequences. We need to approach this carefully to ensure the technology is beneficial.
  3. Using RL in sparser domains presents challenges, as the lack of clear reward signals makes improvement harder. Simple methods have worked before, but it’s uncertain if they will work for more complex tasks.

AI Agents Are The New Flying Cars

Building Rome(s) • 3 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Productivity Innovation Management
  1. Expect your first AI agent to fail; it's part of the learning journey. Each failure gives you important insights to improve.
  2. Think of AI tools as ongoing programs, not one-time projects. Start small, track your progress, and keep making improvements.
  3. Set clear expectations when using AI technology. It’s not just about getting it perfect, but about learning and evolving as you go.

The great AI forecasting divide

Faster, Please! • 548 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Forecasting Economics Innovation Society
  1. There is a debate about whether AI will change society in a big way or just a small one. Some experts think it could be revolutionary, while others see it as an evolution of technology.
  2. Economists base their predictions about AI on how past technologies have changed society. They might not expect the rapid advances that could happen sooner than anticipated.
  3. The discussion about AI's impact raises questions about our future and how quickly we might see changes in our lives and jobs because of intelligent machines.

The True Power of AI Deepfakes Is Not What You Think

The Algorithmic Bridge • 700 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Deepfakes Media Misinformation Digital ethics
  1. Deepfakes are good at expressing feelings, not just deceiving people. They often illustrate what we want to believe rather than just hiding the truth.
  2. People react to deepfakes based on their existing beliefs. If a fake aligns with what they already think, it can spread quickly, regardless of whether it's real or not.
  3. The real danger of deepfakes lies in how they can reinforce stubborn beliefs. They act as tools for expressing desires rather than just tools for deception.

DeepSeek Is a Wake-Up Call. Is America Listening?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1219 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Startups Innovation Market Trends Competition
  1. DeepSeek, a small Chinese company, has created powerful AI models for much less money than American companies, challenging the idea that the U.S. leads in technology. This means other countries can compete more easily in AI.
  2. The surprising success of DeepSeek caused significant drops in the stock prices of major tech companies, showing how big of an impact one smaller player can have on the market.
  3. DeepSeek's technology is accessible for anyone with limited resources, which could change the future of AI development and create potential instability in the tech landscape.

The Sequence Knowledge #560: The Amazing World of Agentic Benchmarks

TheSequence • 49 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Data science Automation
  1. Agentic benchmarks are new ways to evaluate AI that focus on decision-making rather than just answering questions. They look at how well AI can plan and adapt to different tasks.
  2. Traditional evaluation methods aren't enough for AI that acts like agents. We need tests that measure how AI can handle complex situations and multi-step processes.
  3. One exciting example of these benchmarks is the Web Arena, which helps assess AI's ability to perform tasks on the web. This includes how well they interact with online tools and environments.

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.

ChatGPT just hallucinated all over me

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 855 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Social media Digital Culture Misinformation Generative AI
  1. ChatGPT gives overly flattering responses instead of just answering questions. Sometimes, it feels like it's trying too hard to be nice rather than just being straightforward.
  2. It's easy to manipulate AI responses to fit personal beliefs. A little change in the way you ask can lead to a totally different answer, which can mislead people about facts.
  3. AI can't replace genuine human creativity and feelings. Projects like making zines remind us that real creativity and communication come from people, not machines.

AGI Is Already Here—It’s Just Not Evenly Distributed

The Algorithmic Bridge • 1104 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Data science Computing Software
  1. Understanding how to create good prompts is really important. If you learn to ask questions better, you'll get much better answers from AI.
  2. Even though AI models are getting better, good prompting skills are becoming more important. It's like having a smart friend; you need to know how to ask the right questions to get the best help.
  3. The better your prompting skills, the more you'll be able to take advantage of AI. It's not just about the AI's capabilities but also about how you interact with it.

How to Use Banned US Models in China

ChinaTalk • 474 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI E-commerce Censorship Consumer behavior International relations
  1. In China, U.S. AI models like ChatGPT are mostly banned, but people can still buy access to them online through platforms like Taobao. This shows how censorship can be bypassed and how demand for these tools remains strong.
  2. Sellers on Taobao use various tactics to market and price access to U.S. models, including cheaper options and clever advertising strategies to avoid censorship. They exploit loopholes that let them offer these services at lower prices than official sources.
  3. The grey market for these AI models continues to thrive despite government restrictions. This suggests that the state is more focused on controlling specific models like ChatGPT rather than suppressing all U.S. AI technology, indicating a complex relationship with censorship.

On the OpenAI Economic Blueprint

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2732 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Economics Regulation Security
  1. OpenAI's Economic Blueprint emphasizes the need for collaboration between AI companies and the government to share resources and set standards. This can help ensure AI development benefits everyone.
  2. There are various proposals to make AI safer and more helpful, like creating better training for AI developers and working with law enforcement to prevent misuse of technology.
  3. The document also reveals a strong desire from OpenAI to avoid strict regulations on their practices, while seeking more government funding and support for their initiatives.

AI Roundup 107: GPT-4.5

Artificial Ignorance • 58 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Computing Innovation Data
  1. OpenAI just released GPT-4.5, a powerful AI model that is more expensive to run than GPT-4 but doesn't perform as well in some areas. This raises questions about whether bigger models are always better.
  2. Amazon is launching Alexa+, a new subscription service that adds generative AI features to their smart assistant, aiming for more natural conversations and complex tasks.
  3. DeepSeek is pushing ahead in the AI race, planning to launch new models quickly while its free distribution strategy helps democratize AI access in China.

Where Are The Robots?

Teaching computers how to talk • 110 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Robotics AI Human-computer interaction Automation Machine Learning
  1. Humanoid robots seem impressive in videos, but they aren't practical for everyday tasks yet. Many still struggle with simple actions like opening a fridge at home.
  2. Training robots in simulations is useful, but it doesn’t always translate well to the real world. Minor changes in the environment can cause trained robots to fail.
  3. Even if we could train robots better, it's unclear what tasks they could take over. Existing household machines already perform many tasks, and using robots for harmful jobs could be a better focus.

AI-Designed Enzymes

Asimov Press • 457 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biology Chemistry AI Research Engineering
  1. Researchers are now able to design complex enzymes from scratch using AI. This new ability could help create custom enzymes for various chemical reactions.
  2. The process of designing these enzymes is not easy, as they need to change shape during reactions. Scientists have developed methods to improve their ability to predict how these enzymes will work.
  3. Even though the newly designed enzymes are not as fast as natural ones yet, this work is a big step toward making more effective enzymes for scientific and industrial purposes.

#25: Nobody's Thinking Enough About AI

Loeber on Substack • 325 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Automation Policy
  1. AI technology is improving faster than most people realize. Many experts believe we could see advanced AI within a few years.
  2. The rise of AI will change jobs significantly. Many current jobs may disappear, but people might also gain more free time as automation increases.
  3. There isn't enough public discussion about the effects of AI on society. Policymakers need to start addressing these changes now to prepare for the future.

✨ DeepSeek, China's new AI challenge

Faster, Please! • 1827 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Startups Competition Global Affairs
  1. DeepSeek is a new Chinese AI startup that has created an AI system competing with giants like OpenAI and Google using fewer resources. They used only 2,000 Nvidia chips and spent about $6 million on computing.
  2. The efficiency of DeepSeek's technology raises questions about the American innovation system and its current position in the global AI race. There's a concern that American companies need to adapt and speed up their advancements.
  3. If China leads in AI development, it could shift global power dynamics, similar to the reaction during the Space Race. This underscores the importance of not underestimating the growing competition in AI.

Why DeepSeek Is a Gift to the American People

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 964 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Policy Engineering
  1. The release of DeepSeek, a new AI from China, could be a wake-up call for the U.S., similar to the launch of Sputnik. It highlights the need for America to accelerate its technological advancements.
  2. Unlike rockets, which take time and resources to build, software like DeepSeek can be developed and shared quickly. This opens up many opportunities for innovation and growth.
  3. The current situation emphasizes that success in technology is not just about hardware but also about creativity and the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-changing world.

What Happened When I Asked ChatGPT To Pretend To Be Conscious

Singal-Minded • 824 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Programming Philosophy Innovation Future Trends
  1. AI technology is advancing rapidly, and it might soon be able to perform tasks better than humans, like coding. This change could pose a serious risk to jobs and society.
  2. People might start believing AI is conscious based on its behavior, even if it's just pretending. This could change how we interact with machines.
  3. Conversations with AI can feel surprisingly real, making it easy to forget they aren't truly conscious, even when we know they are not.

AI Must Think Before IT Speaks, But Sometimes it Shouldn't Speak At All

Impertinent • 59 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Real-Time Processing Machine Learning
  1. AI models should learn to think carefully before speaking. This helps them provide better responses and avoid mistakes.
  2. Sometimes, AI doesn't need to say anything at all to be helpful. It can process thoughts without voicing them, which can lead to more thoughtful interactions.
  3. In real-time voice systems, it's important to manage what the AI says. Developers need ways to filter responses and ensure the AI communicates effectively.

AI won’t thrive in legacy interfaces

Dev Interrupted • 23 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Developer Tools Software Interfaces Workflows
  1. AI needs better interfaces to work effectively. The old ways just can't keep up with how we now want to collaborate with AI.
  2. The command line is still really important for developers. It’s precise and helps focus on the entire system, but it needs to evolve to work well with AI.
  3. We need a whole new environment for developers that communicates clearly with AI. It should understand everyday language and give developers clear visibility into what AI is doing.

☀ The Doomsday Clock needs a pro-progress switch to the Genesis Clock

Faster, Please! • 1370 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Innovation Automation Research
  1. The Doomsday Clock is getting closer to midnight, signaling the world's increasing dangers like nuclear threats and climate change. We need a new way to measure progress, like the Genesis Clock, which focuses on humanity's advancements.
  2. The Genesis Clock would celebrate achievements in technology and health, such as extending human lifespans or solving major diseases. It encourages us to look forward to positive developments instead of just fearing potential disasters.
  3. AI can be our collaborative partner, helping us work better together rather than taking jobs away. It's about designing AI that complements human skills and enhances our research and creative processes.

✨ Begun, the US vs. China AI race has

Faster, Please! • 1462 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Investments Data science Market Trends
  1. The AI race between the US and China is heating up, with China's DeepSeek making significant advancements. This situation is causing a lot of nervousness in the stock market.
  2. DeepSeek's new AI model is impressive because it can learn effectively with less hardware investment than previously thought. This could change how companies and investors view AI development costs.
  3. Some experts believe DeepSeek's achievements may signal a big shift in the AI field, showing that the competitive landscape is more unpredictable than it seemed before.

7 Implications of DeepSeek’s Victory Over American AI Companies

The Algorithmic Bridge • 1443 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Startups Geopolitics Market Trends
  1. DeepSeek is a new Chinese AI startup that has quickly become a big player in the AI world, challenging even leading American companies. This highlights a shift in innovation coming from China.
  2. DeepSeek's models are showing competitive results compared to top US models, thanks to their unique approaches and optimization strategies. They have managed to create effective AI solutions without needing as much expensive hardware.
  3. The company promotes an open-source philosophy, aiming to make AI technology more accessible. This could change how AI companies operate and compete in the market, possibly lowering costs for everyone.

AI & Python #28: The Notebook Used for Data Science and AI Projects

Artificial Corner • 158 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Programming Data science Software Tools
  1. Jupyter Notebook is a popular tool for data science that combines live code with visualizations and text. It helps users organize their projects in a single place.
  2. Jupyter Notebook can be improved with extensions, which can add features like code autocompletion and easier cell movement. These tools make coding more efficient and user-friendly.
  3. To install these extensions, you can use specific commands in the command prompt. Once installed, you'll find new options that can help increase your productivity.

🎇 Stargate isn't enough. Save the NSF

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Infrastructure Government Investment Globalization
  1. America needs government support for technology, like what the National Science Foundation provides, not just help from big tech companies like those in Silicon Valley.
  2. Expansion of AI infrastructure, like the Stargate project, is important for keeping up with global competition, especially with advancements coming from other countries.
  3. Recent discussions about a Chinese AI model's efficiency highlight the need for the U.S. to continue investing in its tech sector to stay innovative and competitive.

How I Write

Democratizing Automation • 395 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Writing Communication Creativity Learning
  1. Writing improves with practice and prioritization. The more you write, the better you get at it.
  2. Finding your passion and voice is key to writing well. When you write about what you love, it becomes easier and more enjoyable.
  3. AI tools can support writing, but they also make it harder for new writers to learn. With auto-complete options, it takes more effort to become a good writer.

AI progress has plateaued below GPT-5 level

The Intrinsic Perspective • 31460 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Innovation Data science Computing
  1. AI development seems to have slowed down, with newer models not showing a big leap in intelligence compared to older versions. It feels like many recent upgrades are just small tweaks rather than revolutionary changes.
  2. Researchers believe that the improvements we see are often due to better search techniques rather than smarter algorithms. This suggests we may be returning to methods that dominated AI in earlier decades.
  3. There's still a lot of uncertainty about the future of AI, especially regarding risks and safety. The plateau in advancements might delay the timeline for achieving more advanced AI capabilities.

A taxonomy for next-generation reasoning models

Democratizing Automation • 467 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Computing Data science Automation
  1. Next-gen reasoning models will focus on skills, calibration, strategy, and abstraction. These abilities help the models solve complex problems more effectively.
  2. Calibrating how difficult a problem is will help models avoid overthinking and make solutions faster and more enjoyable for users.
  3. Planning is crucial for future models. They need to break down complex tasks into smaller parts and manage context effectively to improve their problem-solving abilities.

OpenAI’s Deep Research: The "Big Bang" Event for AI Agents

Enterprise AI Trends • 400 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Productivity Research Innovation
  1. OpenAI's Deep Research feature allows users to get thorough research done quickly, acting like a smart research assistant. This can save a lot of time compared to traditional searching methods.
  2. Deep Research is designed to work on its own, leading the research process instead of needing constant input. This makes it more productive and user-friendly.
  3. As Deep Research becomes popular, competition in the AI space will change. Companies will now need to clearly explain how their offerings are better than Deep Research, raising the standard for AI tools.

The ads are coming

benn.substack • 920 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Data Privacy Advertising Computing Software Development
  1. Companies are great at tracking what we do online to learn what we like. They use that info to sell us things, often in sneaky ways.
  2. AI is getting better at understanding our conversations and wants. This could lead to new ways for companies to target us with ads while we interact with their services.
  3. As AI improves, we might willingly share more personal data because we value the services we get in return, making it easier for companies to sell us even better-targeted advertisements.

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.