The hottest AI Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

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.

DeepSeek: what it means and what happens next

ChinaTalk • 622 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Open Source Chinese Tech Export Controls
  1. DeepSeek is a unique AI research lab that has no pressure to make money. This allows them to focus on innovation and open-source work without the typical commercial constraints most tech companies face.
  2. They prioritize hiring young, talented engineers who are passionate about technology. This approach leads to fresh ideas and creativity, breaking from traditional hiring practices in other companies.
  3. DeepSeek's relationship with the Chinese government is evolving, with potential benefits and challenges. As they gain more attention, there are questions about how much freedom they'll have in their open-source projects.

Best of ChinaTalk 2024

ChinaTalk • 281 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Research Internet Gaming
  1. China is focusing on developing its AI and technology sectors, addressing the balance between innovation and security.
  2. The chip industry in Taiwan is evolving, with a strong emphasis on local strategies to maintain competitiveness.
  3. ChinaTalk has produced a variety of engaging content, covering topics like politics, technology, and culture, while also expanding its reach through podcasts and YouTube.

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.
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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.

DeepSeek and the Future of AI Competition with Miles Brundage

ChinaTalk • 948 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Modeling Competition Trade policy Innovation
  1. DeepSeek's R1 model shows that AI competition is heating up between the U.S. and China. It's similar to OpenAI's model but developed quickly, closing the gap.
  2. The efficiency at which DeepSeek operates is driven by export controls, meaning limited access to advanced chips. More chips would better their AI capabilities.
  3. Open-sourcing AI models has its benefits, but governments need to be careful. They should ensure the technology is not misused while still allowing some level of open collaboration.

Scale AI’s Alexandr Wang’s Predictions for AI In 2025: Geopolitical Turf Wars Escalate, AI Agents Progress, Data Beats Compute

Big Technology • 5629 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Geopolitics Military Data Innovation
  1. The competition between the U.S. and China in AI will heat up, with each country trying to promote their AI technology globally. This battle will affect which AI systems become the global standard.
  2. In 2025, we might see AI agents become more useful in everyday life, helping with tasks like managing emails and planning trips. People will likely start trusting these agents to handle bigger parts of their work and personal lives.
  3. Military use of AI is expected to grow significantly, with AI agents being implemented to process large amounts of data and improve logistical operations. This could change how wars are fought and complicate decisions about military autonomy.

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 American AI Chip Policy Could Lead Us Right into World War III

Future History • 190 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Semiconductors Supply Chain International relations Chip Manufacturing
  1. The US heavily relies on Taiwan and South Korea for advanced chips. If China were to invade Taiwan, it could cut off the supply of these crucial components, affecting everything from smartphones to cars.
  2. Building chip manufacturing capacity in the US is not happening fast enough. The current efforts, including the Chips Act, are insufficient compared to what countries like South Korea are investing.
  3. Current tensions and trade policies can push China towards aggressive actions. If chip trade restrictions continue, it might lead to a conflict, putting the whole world at risk.

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.

My thoughts on DeepSeek and what it means for security

Frankly Speaking • 355 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Security Innovation Startup Industry Trends
  1. DeepSeek is a new AI that can learn on its own without needing human help. This makes it cheaper and more accessible, similar to how Uber made ridesharing easier for everyone.
  2. Many people are concerned about the rapid advancements in AI, especially when it seems like the US could fall behind China in technology. But instead of worrying, we should learn from these innovations and adapt our strategies in AI.
  3. The introduction of cheaper AI means that companies will use it more, and security needs to adjust to support this tech rather than restrict it. It's time for security teams to embrace AI and understand how to manage its risks effectively.

Hard-forked! Casey Newton’s distorted portrait of Gary Marcus and AI skepticism

Marcus on AI • 6679 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Data Ethics Tech Policy Regulation
  1. We need to prepare for AI to become more dangerous than it is now. Even if some experts think its progress might slow, it's important to have safety measures in place just in case.
  2. AI doesn't always perform as promised and can be unreliable or harmful. It's already causing issues like misinformation and bias, which means we should be cautious about its use.
  3. AI skepticism is a valid and important perspective. It's fair for people to question the role of AI in society and to discuss how it can be better managed.

DeepSeek: Is this Jevon's Cope?

Mule’s Musings • 635 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Infrastructure Market Trends Economic Theory
  1. Price changes can greatly influence how people feel about markets, leading to strong swings in sentiment. This idea is evident in the ongoing debates around AI infrastructure spending.
  2. The Jevons Paradox suggests that as technology makes things cheaper, demand often increases instead of decreases. This means that even with better technology, we may use more resources rather than less.
  3. There is a real risk that supply can exceed demand in the short term, impacting the market negatively. While the long-term picture may be optimistic, the immediate situation can be very different.

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.

Resist Summary

The Map is Mostly Water • 2942 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Learning Writing Cognition Philosophy
  1. We read too many summaries instead of diving deep into topics. This can make us miss the detailed understanding that comes from exploring original sources.
  2. Writing from your own experience and observations is important. It helps create richer and more interesting content than just summarizing others' ideas.
  3. Using AI for quick answers can simplify things, but it might prevent you from understanding complex ideas. Building a deeper understanding requires slow and careful thinking.

#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.

Satya Nadella and the three stages of scientific truth

Marcus on AI • 8023 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Science Computing Philosophy
  1. New ideas in science often face resistance at first. People may ridicule them before they accept the change.
  2. Scaling laws in deep learning may not last forever. This suggests that other methods may be needed to advance technology.
  3. Many tech leaders are now discussing the limits of scaling laws, showing a shift in thinking towards exploring new approaches.

ChatGPT, at Age Two

Marcus on AI • 7074 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Data Digital ethics
  1. ChatGPT has been popular for two years, but many of the initial uses people expected, like taking over Google, haven't happened. Companies are not as impressed with its real-world results.
  2. Despite promises of improvement, ChatGPT still struggles with inaccuracies and generating false information. Users continue to experience 'hallucinations' where the AI makes things up.
  3. The investment in AI is huge, but the fundamental issues with reliability and factual accuracy haven't improved significantly. There's a call for new approaches to make AI more trustworthy.

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.

Varo Struggles On As Founder Colin Walsh Steps Down As CEO

Fintech Business Weekly • 52 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
💰 Finance Fintech Banking AI Investments Regulations
  1. Varo Bank is facing challenges as its founder and CEO Colin Walsh steps down. New CEO Gavin Michael has a tough job ahead with the company still not profitable.
  2. Despite some improvements in revenue and customer growth, Varo's net losses remain significant, with $65 million lost last year. It needs to boost its deposits and customer engagement.
  3. The financial regulatory landscape is changing with new appointments, including Jonathan McKernan resigning from the FDIC and being nominated to lead the CFPB. This could impact how financial services are managed going forward.

What Is Sora For?

Big Technology • 4503 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Video Generative Innovation Digital Media
  1. Sora is a cool AI video generator but is not very useful right now. The videos it creates are interesting but lack quality for serious use.
  2. There’s no clear audience for Sora yet, as it struggles to find practical ways for everyday users to engage with it. Most people might enjoy it initially, but it's hard to see why they'd keep using it.
  3. Sora could help in some specific applications, like filmmaking or marketing, but it also raises concerns about how we distinguish real from fake videos in a confusing digital world.

Is growth still good?

benn.substack • 1176 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Startups AI Innovation Market Trends Corporate strategy
  1. Fast growth can be misleading in today's market. Just because a startup is making money quickly doesn't mean it has a solid long-term plan.
  2. Smaller, newer companies are often more innovative than big ones. Many tech leaders are looking to fresh, creative minds instead of established corporations for solutions.
  3. AI is creating a new type of workplace dynamic. Instead of making jobs easier, it could lead to roles that are more focused on managing technology than using creativity.

☀ 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.

Enterprise AI is Moving Fast, and Other Takeaways From a Week With Amazon

Big Technology • 4503 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Enterprise Software Innovation Business
  1. Generative AI is mainly used in businesses right now because they face unique problems. Companies are investing in it to process information and improve operations.
  2. Spending on generative AI is mostly for tools like ChatGPT and APIs for building custom solutions. This growth in enterprise spending may help develop AI technologies for consumers later on.
  3. OpenAI and Amazon are becoming competitors in the AI space. Their focus and innovations can change how AI is used in both business and personal applications.

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.

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 new Liar's Paradox

The Intrinsic Perspective • 15503 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Consciousness AI Knowledge Mind
  1. AI welfare is an emerging field that raises questions about whether AI can experience consciousness and suffering like humans do. We need to think about how to treat AI responsibly if they do have feelings.
  2. There are moral dilemmas when it comes to AI—if we treat non-conscious AIs as if they are conscious, we might confuse what they're actually capable of feeling. This can lead to unnecessary concerns or misplaced reliance on them.
  3. Studying consciousness is hard because people often tell researchers what they think they want to hear. This makes it tough to trust any reports about their true experiences.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #34

Faster, Please! • 639 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Energy Market research Automation Economics
  1. A new tool in ChatGPT can help with deep research by quickly analyzing information and providing organized reports. This makes it easier for people in schools and businesses to get useful insights.
  2. France is benefiting from its strong nuclear energy production, which keeps electricity prices lower compared to Germany. This helps France avoid the high costs associated with gas and coal.
  3. The push for cleaner energy is gaining speed, as countries like France are moving away from expensive fossil fuels. This shift is important for both economic stability and environmental health.

Generate Videos on Your Computer with Pyramid Flow

The Kaitchup – AI on a Budget • 99 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Video Software Hardware Generative
  1. Pyramid Flow is a new model that lets you generate videos quickly on your computer. It supports 768p resolution and works at 24 frames per second.
  2. You can create videos using either text prompts or a mix of text and image prompts, making it flexible for different projects.
  3. A consumer GPU, like the RTX 3090, is good enough for making these videos, and there's a notebook available with all the steps to help you get started.

What's Next for ChinaTalk

ChinaTalk • 756 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI China Policy Innovation Geopolitics
  1. ChinaTalk started as a small project and has grown to have 50,000 subscribers by focusing on tech developments in China.
  2. They aim to provide deep analysis on China's tech landscape, especially regarding AI, to help people understand its global impact.
  3. In 2025, ChinaTalk plans to expand into a think tank, hiring more staff to enhance their research and outreach efforts.