The hottest Automation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Service as a Software: The New SaaS

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 27 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. AI is changing how we work by making professional skills available almost instantly and at a low cost. This shift will allow tasks that used to require human expertise to be done by software.
  2. The new idea of 'Service as a Software' (SaaS) could disrupt many professional jobs by automating services like consulting, legal work, and design. This could lead to a significant boost in the economy.
  3. As AI becomes smarter and cheaper, it's expected to make high-quality expertise available to more people, changing how businesses operate and creating new opportunities in various fields.

How To Create Compound Efficiencies In Engineering

Dev Interrupted • 102 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Efficiency improvements in engineering come from continuous habits, not just one-time decisions.
  2. Real-time visibility into metrics and guidance on 'good' metrics can drive organic productivity improvements.
  3. Automating pull requests & code reviews can significantly reduce cycle time and improve productivity in dev teams.

It’s Time to Take a Chill Pill

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. There's new AI that can help programmers with prompt engineering, making it even easier to create and test ideas. It's like having a helper that gives you the best shortcuts!
  2. A notable figure in AI predicts that in five years, there may be no need for programmers at all. This could change how we think about jobs in tech.
  3. The use of AI is transforming industries, making tasks simpler and potentially reducing the demand for traditional programming roles. This means we might have to adapt to a new work environment.

The rough edges of Terraform that I awkwardly stumble over

Basta’s Notes • 122 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Terraform allows writing code to describe infrastructure in production, automating deployment and management across various cloud platforms.
  2. Securing secrets in Terraform state files can be a challenge, requiring manual handling to avoid storing sensitive data.
  3. Terraform's manual and serial nature requires human oversight for changes to avoid unintended consequences, making automation challenging.

Will people be motivated to learn difficult disciplines and skills without economic incentive?

Engineering Ideas • 39 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. People are motivated to learn difficult skills for competition, economic gain, intrinsic interest, or altruism.
  2. With automation, economic motivation for learning may decline, leading to a shift in human activities towards physical games, cognitive games, manual labor, spirituality, art appreciation, or passive consumption.
  3. The future of widespread intrinsic motivation for learning is seen as unlikely, requiring a supportive environment and upbringing.
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How many robotaxis are there in the world today?

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. There are currently hundreds of robotaxis operating in the United States, with Waymo and Cruise leading the way. However, Tesla is also working on their own robotaxi plans.
  2. In China, thousands of robotaxis are already in use, with companies like Baidu expanding their fleets rapidly. This shows that the technology is advancing quickly in some parts of the world.
  3. The number of self-driving cars is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, potentially reaching tens of thousands in the U.S. and hundreds of thousands globally by 2026 or 2027.

You like AI agents? You're gonna love it when they're on the blockchains

State of the Future • 19 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. AGI might not be a single powerful entity, but a network of interacting agents that work together, running on local devices instead of big data centers.
  2. Keeping workflow privacy is really important. It's not just about protecting data, but also about keeping the ways agents solve problems secret to maintain competitive advantage.
  3. Blockchain can help agents make many small payments to each other easily, something traditional banking systems aren't designed for. This opens up new economic possibilities for AI agents.

Workflows Give Purpose to APIs

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 31 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Workflows turn abstract CRUD APIs into meaningful, user-focused operations by combining multiple low-level requests into a single higher-level action.
  2. A workflow operation like “onboard” can hide database details, perform lookups and validations, and make integration much easier for consumers.
  3. Workflows let teams adapt generic APIs to real use cases and prototype new operations quickly, and they enable non-technical people to define or iterate on behaviors without changing the underlying API.

AI+You

Subsack • 4 implied HN points • 03 Oct 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. AI is not rapidly improving itself on its own. Most advancements come from human decisions, so there's no immediate threat from an out-of-control AI.
  2. Jobs are changing, but most people won't lose theirs right away. Some industries will feel pressure, while others like healthcare may see more collaboration with AI technology.
  3. There's a lot of excitement about AI, especially for new businesses. It's easier for entrepreneurs to create products using AI tools, and this could lead to significant innovations.

AI With “Computer Use”: Agents, Accessibility Fix, Facilitating Usability Tests

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 27 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. AI can now operate computers just like humans, which means it can click, type, and understand what’s on the screen. This makes using computers easier for everyone, especially for those who struggle with traditional interfaces.
  2. AI agents are expected to take over simple tasks for users, like booking hotels or managing reservations, making life more convenient. However, understanding personal preferences may take some time for AI to improve.
  3. AI's capability to watch and analyze user interactions can help conduct usability studies more effectively. This could lead to better products, as AI can help gather insights about how real users behave.

Receive an Email Notification Each Morning with the List of Daily Microsoft Sentinel Incidents Created

Rod’s Blog • 19 implied HN points • 09 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Receive an email notification each morning with the list of daily Microsoft Sentinel incidents created.
  2. The Logic App provided automates the process of checking and compiling incident details for easy access.
  3. Customize the email notification further by filtering incidents based on severity levels for more targeted updates.

Using Logic App Parameters with Microsoft Sentinel Playbooks

Rod’s Blog • 19 implied HN points • 09 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. You can use Logic App Parameters with Microsoft Sentinel Playbooks to create fill-in blanks like in ARM templates.
  2. Parameters in Logic App Designer can be used throughout the Logic App for customization.
  3. Utilizing custom, reserved variables like tenant ID and subscription ID ensures safety and allows deploying environments to input their values.

Low-Code Won’t Replace You | Camunda’s Bernd Ruecker

Dev Interrupted • 18 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Low-code tools help developers focus on more complex tasks instead of repetitive ones. They make it easier for non-tech users to build applications too.
  2. Understanding when to use low-code solutions versus custom coding is important. Each has its strengths, and using the right one can save time and effort.
  3. Despite the rise of low-code, experienced developers are still needed. The role of developers is evolving, but they won't be replaced anytime soon.

AI-First in 2025: Hype, Reality, and Your Next Move

Rémi Ounadjela • 6 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. AI can be useful in many areas of a company, but it's important to choose the right tools carefully. Think about the problems you want to solve first.
  2. There are different levels of AI tools, ranging from basic productivity helpers to complex systems that can perform tasks on their own. Each level comes with its own benefits and risks.
  3. As you use more advanced AI tools, remember that higher risks come with higher rewards. Make sure to set up good guardrails and track how well things are working.

📏 When machines start calling the shots

Reboot • 5 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🎾 Sports Automation
  1. Tennis is moving to electronic line calling, which uses computers for making calls instead of humans. This could change how games are played, as players won't have human judges anymore.
  2. Human judges add a personal touch to games by enforcing rules based on their own experiences. With machines making calls, something important might be lost in terms of fairness and connection.
  3. Machines can make mistakes too, even if they are often called more accurate than humans. Trusting technology completely has its risks, especially when it comes to close calls in sports.

how I use chatgpt

alice maz • 75 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Use GPT-4 for better performance and capability compared to GPT-3.5
  2. GPT excels in language-related tasks but struggles with mathematical or quantitative queries
  3. Assess and verify GPT's outputs while using it for tasks to ensure accuracy and reliability

Think Like a Detection Engineer, Pt. 2: Rule Writing

Detection at Scale • 39 implied HN points • 25 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Analyzing security data effectively involves identifying and flagging bad behaviors near high-risk assets.
  2. Writing rules based on observed attacker techniques and behaviors allows for a clear path to action in response to detected threats.
  3. Testing rules through phases like unit testing, backtesting, staging, and production helps refine and ensure alert accuracy before implementation.

Newsletter #8: HuggingGPT

Decoding Coding • 19 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. HuggingGPT helps solve complex tasks by breaking them down into smaller steps. It uses different AI models to handle each part, making the whole process easier and more organized.
  2. Current AI models struggle with processing various types of data and managing multiple tasks at once. HuggingGPT aims to improve this by using LLMs to plan and execute tasks more efficiently.
  3. The model operates in four main stages: planning tasks, selecting the right model for each task, executing them, and generating a final response. This structured approach makes coding more productive.

AI Is About To Transform The Economy - How To Thrive In The Post-Singularity World

The Future of Life • 19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
💼 Business Automation
  1. AI is making it easier to predict which stocks will do well, helping investors find the best opportunities. This will lead to more wealth and faster changes in the market.
  2. The workforce will shift towards jobs that involve working with AI, like entrepreneurs and prompt artists, while some people may still prefer handmade goods. This means more people will be managing machines instead of doing manual work.
  3. To succeed in an economy driven by AI, focus on being creative and adaptable. It's also smart to invest in a variety of places and stay updated on new trends and technologies.

Cheap Intelligence.

Perceptions • 53 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. There is a shift happening in digital knowledge work due to advancements in AI
  2. AI is impacting freelance marketplaces and job opportunities for highly skilled workers
  3. Individuals may need to start businesses or offer consultations as AI continues to develop

Forecasting, Game QA, and Personalized Embodied Agents

ppdispatch • 8 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. A new type of learning called outcome-based reinforcement learning is helping smaller language models make accurate predictions, even better than some big models.
  2. Researchers are looking at how AI agents remember information to provide personalized help, but they still struggle with remembering complex user preferences.
  3. A new benchmark for video game testing helps measure how well AI models can find bugs and glitches in games, making the testing process better and more efficient.

A Webhook Love Story

Sarah's Newsletter • 3 HN points • 17 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Webhooks provide a plug-and-play interface for event-driven workflows, making automation in marketing efficient and scalable.
  2. Webhooks are useful when immediate automated responses are needed to events from the outside world, and relying on batch implementations would be inefficient.
  3. Effectively implementing webhooks requires observability through alerts, in-depth logs, centralized deployment, and proper scale to avoid operational challenges.

The types of AI, visually explained 🤖

Year 2049 • 15 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. AI comes in different types, and it's good to know what they are. Understanding the types helps us see how AI works in our daily lives.
  2. Machines learn to become intelligent over time, which is fascinating. This process is important to understand how AI evolves.
  3. It's helpful to share knowledge about AI with others. Teaching friends and family can make everyone more aware of how AI impacts us.

Interesting things about robots...

Robots & Startups • 19 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. ROSCon 2023 will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 18th-20th 2023
  2. The deadline for IERA Award applications, focusing on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics and Automation, is February 28th
  3. Subscribing to Robots & Startups gives access to the full post archives with a 7-day free trial

How Do TPMs Drive Accountability When AI Owns the Work?

Building Rome(s) • 7 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. As AI takes on more tasks, it's important to think about who is responsible for the outcomes. If something goes wrong, we need a clear person to turn to.
  2. The way we manage accountability will change as fewer people work on tasks and more AI agents do the work. It could become harder to track who is responsible when problems arise.
  3. There might be a need for new systems to keep track of AI decisions and their results. This way, we can still ensure accountability even when computers do much of the work.

ChatGPT & the Future of Work

The Future of Life • 19 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. AI is unlikely to replace jobs like programming. Instead, it's expected to assist and improve how programmers work.
  2. Everyone might have their own personal AI assistant in the future. This AI will help manage daily tasks like scheduling and information gathering.
  3. Instead of making workers obsolete, AI will enhance people's productivity and efficiency, especially in white-collar jobs.

Keeping up with the State-of-the-Art in TechBio

Kesav’s Lab • 12 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for breakthroughs in understanding protein structures, which can lead to better medicines and solutions to major health challenges.
  2. There’s a growing community focused on TechBio, which merges technology and biology. Events like meetups can help people learn and connect over important topics.
  3. Staying informed about the latest in TechBio is important, and contributing to community newsletters helps track new tools and research developments.

Automating API Discovery with RFC 9727

The API Changelog • 6 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. RFC 9727 introduces a way to easily find and use APIs through a programmatic catalog. This means both humans and machines can discover APIs more efficiently.
  2. It uses predefined paths and techniques like 'well-known' URIs to help consumers locate an api-catalog. This makes it simpler for anyone looking to advertise their APIs.
  3. The api-catalog document can have different formats, but it must include a list of links to APIs. However, having a consistent format could help consumers understand and discover the APIs better.

When will AI do my job for me?

Entry Level Investing • 67 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. AI is likely to disrupt white collar workers more than the working class for the first time.
  2. AI excels at replacing repetitive, language-heavy tasks, starting with law but expanding to other fields.
  3. Professional service fees may decrease as AI tools become essential, leading to challenges in finding future leaders in those industries.

Do You Believe In Second Chances?

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Indian IT companies failed to automate their operations before the pandemic, but now they have a new chance with advanced AI tools. This could help them become more innovative and efficient.
  2. The introduction of large language models, like ChatGPT, could improve how IT companies operate and serve their customers. There's a lot of potential for better efficiency.
  3. Experts believe that using AI in IT could change many processes for the better, making companies more focused on customer needs and improving their overall performance.

How machines learn, visually explained 🧠

Year 2049 • 13 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. AI systems learn from data, so the quality of that data is really important. Better data means smarter machines.
  2. Machines can become biased if they are trained on biased data. It's important to watch out for this when developing AI.
  3. This is just one part of a series explaining AI. More episodes will cover different aspects of how machines learn and behave.

Once more unto the breach...

davidj.substack • 71 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Automating simple data requests can save time and effort in data analysis workflows.
  2. Effective self-serve BI tools require reliable data pipelines, transformation processes, and a semantic layer.
  3. Text-to-SQL tools can improve automation but may require caution due to potential errors and lack of trust in results.

Wrath of the AI-Zilla

SAURABH SAHA • 11 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Many people feel confused and scared about AI, especially since its rapid growth began in 2022. Some workers worry their jobs might become obsolete due to new technologies.
  2. Only a small percentage of people truly understand AI and how to build its applications. Most people just use AI tools without knowing how they work under the hood.
  3. As AI continues to advance, it could create a divide between those who know how to work with it and those who don't, leading to fewer job opportunities for many and greater wealth for a select few.

Society's Technical Debt and Software's Gutenberg Moment

Irregular Ideas with Paul Kedrosky & Eric Norlin of SKV • 63 HN points • 21 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Every wave of technological innovation is triggered by something once costly becoming cheap enough to waste.
  2. Software production has been too complex and costly, leading to society-wide technical debt.
  3. The cost and complexity of software production are collapsing, leading to a dramatic wave of innovation with AI playing a significant role in reshaping the software industry.

The A.I. Bloodhounds Are on My Trail

I Might Be Wrong • 11 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. A new AI chatbot called DeepSeek is improving and could be a threat to writers. It shows a better grasp of comedy than previous AI versions, making some writers concerned about their future.
  2. The AI's attempts at humor mimic certain styles but still struggle with logic and factual accuracy. It can copy formats and jokes, but often misses the mark on meaningful analysis.
  3. Despite the AI's growing capabilities, it lacks a true understanding of context or truth, which means human writers still have an edge when it comes to creating content that makes sense.

AI is Racing Forward – on a Very Long Road

Am I Stronger Yet? • 15 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. AI is making rapid progress, but it is not close to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI). Many tasks still require human capabilities, showing that there is still a long way to go.
  2. Current AIs excel at specific tasks but struggle with complex, nuanced tasks that require extensive context or emotional intelligence, like managing a classroom or writing a novel.
  3. While there are exciting advancements happening with AI, the journey towards true intelligence is more like crossing a vast ocean than a quick sprint, suggesting that there are many challenges ahead.

Defining An AI Native TPM

Building Rome(s) • 5 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. The role of Technical Program Managers (TPMs) will shift from task management to orchestrating systems that combine humans and AI tools. This means they'll focus on designing workflows and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
  2. AI tools are taking over many tasks that TPMs used to do, which means future TPMs need to adapt their skills to manage these tools effectively while keeping the bigger picture in mind.
  3. Humans will still be essential for navigating complex team dynamics and making decisions about what should or shouldn't be automated, ensuring a balance between AI efficiency and human oversight.

5 reasons why you shouldn’t grow your business

Tiny Empires • 49 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
💼 Business Automation
  1. The purpose of a business is to make money consistently, not just to focus on growth.
  2. Avoid the constant stress and demands of big business by aiming for a solid income and free time with a Tiny Empire approach.
  3. To build a successful business, find a model that suits you, test your idea before investing fully, and optimize your processes for efficiency.

Episode 36: Better Built By Burkhard

burkhardstubert • 19 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. A Continuous Delivery pipeline helps keep software always ready for release by quickly identifying problems at various stages.
  2. The workflow consists of three main stages: Commit Stage, Acceptance Stage, and System Stage, with each stage increasing confidence in the software's reliability.
  3. It's best to start building your CD pipeline now, even if it's simple, and improve it step by step as you learn.

ChatGPT, Please Take My Job!

Apricitas Economics • 60 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Automation
  1. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could lead to a rise in global human employment by creating new and more productive job opportunities.
  2. Humans are not like horses; the economy is driven by human needs and desires, and there is no limit to the value humans can derive from the economy.
  3. In a future with AGI, humans may have a comparative advantage in tasks requiring physical dexterity, social interaction, solving 'last mile' problems, and areas where people are an essential part of the service provided.