The hottest Digital Tools Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Last Week in AI #293 - Apple Intelligence, GitHub's multi-model Copilot, Anthropic's computer-using AI

Last Week in AI • 119 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Software Development Tech news Emerging technologies Computer Science Digital Tools
  1. Apple has introduced new features in its operating systems that can help with writing, image editing, and answering questions through Siri. These features are available in beta on devices like iPhones and Macs.
  2. GitHub Copilot is expanding its capabilities by adding support for AI models from other companies, allowing developers to choose which one works best for them. This can make coding easier for everyone, including beginners.
  3. Anthropic has developed new AI models that can interact with computers like a human. This upgrade allows AI to perform tasks like clicking and typing, which could improve many applications in tech.

This is NOT my essay

Jeff Giesea • 279 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Creative Process Digital Tools Content creation Intellectual Property
  1. Using AI tools can change how we think about writing and creation. When we use apps to help us, it makes the process different from traditional writing.
  2. The idea of an original creation is becoming less clear. With many voices and influences in AI, it’s hard to say who truly owns the work.
  3. Collaboration with technology might be the new way to create. Instead of being solo artists, we are now partners with our tools, reshaping what creating really means.

The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

After Babel • 2486 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🚌 Education EdTech Learning methods Student Performance Classroom Management Digital Tools
  1. Using too many digital devices in schools doesn't seem to help students learn better. In fact, it might be making their test scores worse.
  2. Students often get distracted by things like social media when they're supposed to be learning, which can hurt their ability to focus and remember what they've learned.
  3. Some schools are starting to move away from using devices in the classroom and focus more on traditional teaching methods, which might lead to better outcomes for students.

The AI Agent Spectrum

Democratizing Automation • 451 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI agents Reinforcement Learning Software Development Digital Tools Automation
  1. AI agents need clearer definitions and examples to succeed in the market. They're expected to evolve beyond chatbots and perform tasks in areas where software use is less common.
  2. There's a spectrum of AI agents that ranges from simple tools to more complex systems. The capabilities of these agents will likely increase as technology advances, moving from basic tasks to more integrated and autonomous functionalities.
  3. As AI agents develop, distinguishing between open-ended and closed agents will become important. Closed agents have specific tasks, while open-ended agents can act independently, creating new challenges for regulation and user experience.

I made a simple tool to save you from online distractions

12challenges • 257 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Digital Tools Internet Usage Productivity Activism
  1. A tool named Nudge helps you block online distractions like news feeds and comments. It's like an ad blocker but for things that distract you from what you want to focus on.
  2. Nudge is free, open source, and has a good user rating. It makes it easier for you to avoid scrolling through unnecessary content while browsing online.
  3. The creator wants feedback and suggestions to make Nudge even better. You're invited to try it out and share your thoughts with him.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

"AI Won't Take Your Job, a Person Using AI Will"—Yes, You Using AI Will Replace You Not Using It

The Algorithmic Bridge • 392 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Automation Job Market Human-computer interaction Digital Tools
  1. Embracing AI tools is essential. If you don't use them, someone who does will likely take your place.
  2. Technology is becoming a part of our lives whether we like it or not. You might not notice it, but AI is already in everyday tools that can help you do better.
  3. It's common to resist new tech because we feel comfortable, but eventually, we adapt. Just like we moved from pencils to keyboards, we will embrace AI too.

Introducing a new way to publish from the Substack app

Substack • 1669 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Apps Publishing Software Mobile Digital Tools
  1. The Substack app now has a new mobile editor that lets you write and publish posts directly from your phone. This makes it easier to reach your audience anytime and anywhere.
  2. You can create simple text and image posts, which is perfect for quick updates or sharing casual moments. The app saves your drafts automatically too.
  3. Currently, there are still some limitations, like not being able to edit published posts in the app. More features, like video posts and scheduling, are planned for the future.

A few nuggets from last week

My Home Office Hacks • 5 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Tools Home Office Productivity Digital Tools
  1. Ideogram is a cool tool that creates images based on your descriptions. There's a free version available, so you can try it without spending money.
  2. You can save money easily by putting a penny in a jar on January 1 and adding an extra penny each day. By the end of the year, you'll have a nice amount saved up for gifts.
  3. The Rocketbook Core is a reusable notebook that lets you write and save your notes to the cloud. It's a great way to stay organized and reduce waste.

What Really Killed Stack Overflow? (Spoiler: Not AI)

ppdispatch • 5 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Artificial Intelligence Digital Tools Community Dynamics Programming Languages
  1. The decline of Stack Overflow wasn't caused by AI but rather by a loss of community spirit and strict moderation rules. Many users felt unwelcome due to the site's increased focus on quality control.
  2. A new algorithm has greatly improved how we find the shortest paths on graphs, making it more efficient at solving these problems without needing to sort all the data.
  3. Java, despite being seen as old-fashioned and less exciting, remains crucial in software development, proving its reliability and versatility over the past 30 years.

LLM Links, 2/1/2025

In My Tribe • 318 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Automation Machine Learning Digital Tools
  1. OpenAI's new AI agent, ChatGPT Operator, can take actions online for users, like booking services. However, some feel it doesn't yet handle more complex tasks very well.
  2. Different users highlight various ways they use AI, showing that it can be useful for specific inquiries, but many still feel they are stuck in old routines.
  3. AI technology is advancing fast, leading to concerns about job loss and social changes. People think the impacts of AI will evolve slowly, despite rapid progress in the tech itself.

Beyond RAG: Building a Knowledge Management System That Enhances Rather Than Replaces Thought

Nick Savage • 56 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Knowledge Management Artificial Intelligence Digital Tools Information Systems Human-computer interaction
  1. Using digital tools for note-taking can be helpful, but you can lose some benefits of physical notes, like seeing related ideas together. It's important to find ways to keep those surprising connections.
  2. AI tools can automate parts of knowledge management, but they might not always help you understand the content better. Personal processing and making connections should still be done by humans.
  3. The goal of a good knowledge management system is to enhance your own insights and understanding. Tools should help organize, but the learning and connecting of ideas should still come from you.

🌟 Your Ultimate AI Guide for Product Managers: 10-Part Series + FREE PDF & Bonus Resources! 🚀

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 23 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Product Management Innovation Ethics Digital Tools
  1. AI is becoming really important for product managers. It's changing how people design and manage products.
  2. Learning about AI tools like large language models can help product managers work more efficiently. They can use these tools to improve their workflows.
  3. Ethics in AI is crucial. Product managers need to think about the responsible use of AI in their projects to ensure they are creating fair and useful products.

UX Roundup: Outpacing Human Aging | Animating Paintings | Domain-Specific UX | Bad AI Video | Top Avatars Vary by Platform | Search Research | o3-mini

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 15 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI User Experience Design Digital Tools Innovation
  1. Technology, especially in healthcare, is advancing faster than many people age. This means tools like hearing aids are improving rapidly, helping users hear better than before.
  2. AI is starting to transform the design industry. It's becoming crucial for UX professionals to specialize in specific fields, like healthcare, because AI will handle many basic design tasks in the future.
  3. Students are increasingly using AI for schoolwork, and this trend is doubling yearly. Instead of seeing this as cheating, education should embrace AI as a valuable tool for learning.

Mistral Small 3, Open Music Foundation Models, Qwen2.5-Max and VL, FUZZ, Open-R1, Hailuo Director mode, Tülu 3 405B, Postman AI Agent Builder, Goose, LlamaReport, open-source operator, Codev, and more

AI Brews • 17 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Digital Tools Data
  1. Mistral Small 3 is a new AI model that is fast and efficient, making it a strong competitor against larger models like Llama 3.3.
  2. Tülu 3 405B is an open-source model that follows an open training approach and has shown great performance on key benchmarks.
  3. There are new tools and apps for music generation and automation, making it easier to create songs and automate tasks through simple conversations.

Bicycles for the Mind and Software-Augmented Mentats

Bzogramming • 30 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Cognitive Science Software Development Digital Tools
  1. Our minds work like software made up of various pieces that interact with each other. The way we learn, remember, and think can change based on our experiences and the information we take in.
  2. Computers can help enhance our thinking, just like a bike helps us move better. But we still have a long way to go in fully using technology to improve how we think and learn.
  3. As we learn more about how the brain works and how to interact with computers, we may discover new ways to enhance our mental abilities. This could lead to different skills and talents that we haven't seen before.

Introducing prediction market embeds for Substack

Substack • 319 implied HN points • 29 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Digital Tools Prediction Markets Content creation Data Analysis Online Platforms
  1. Substack now allows users to embed prediction markets from Polymarket in their posts. This can make articles more engaging by providing real-time data on trending topics.
  2. The new feature is launching just in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics, letting writers easily add betting odds on various events. This could enhance the coverage of the Olympics on Substack.
  3. Polymarket is also starting a news site on Substack called 'The Oracle,' which will give insights and analyses based on active prediction markets. This aims to help readers understand global events better.

Security is Not an AI Problem

Security Is • 159 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Cybersecurity Machine Learning Data science Digital Tools
  1. AI doesn't really fix security problems well. Many times, the technology just doesn't work in the tough, unpredictable environments that security deals with.
  2. The best results in security often come from simple, clear procedures, not from complex machine learning models. Basic rules can solve most problems effectively.
  3. Generative AI can help with minor tasks but isn't a magic solution for security. It might even confuse people about important issues, rather than clarify them.

LLM Links

In My Tribe • 212 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Education Software Innovation Digital Tools
  1. Using AI to do students' writing can take away the benefits of creativity and expression that come from writing practice. It's important for students to engage with the writing process themselves.
  2. AI tools like NotebookLM are changing how we create content, such as podcasts. These tools can generate engaging discussions, but they need to be customizable to suit individual styles.
  3. AI is seen as a powerful tool that can enhance research and intelligence. Instead of just analyzing data, it can help in conducting experiments and discovering new methods in various fields.

The Three Horizons of working together

The Supermesh Blog • 1 HN point • 25 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Collaboration Tools Digital Tools
  1. There are three horizons of collaboration tools: H1 is about basic communication tools like email and messaging, H2 focuses on cooperation with better organization and task management, and H3 aims for enhanced collaboration through innovative tech.
  2. Horizon 1 tools improve communication but don't significantly change how teams work together. They help relay messages but often miss the bigger picture in terms of collaboration.
  3. Horizon 2 tools encourage cooperation by allowing teams to work together more efficiently, while Horizon 3 tools represent the future, aiming to truly empower teams and foster a deeper sense of collaboration.

Thriving with AI: 15 Kevin Kelly tips

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Creativity Digital Tools Future Trends
  1. AI is a tool to help us do our jobs better, not to take them away. It can handle tasks we can't even think of yet, allowing us to focus on what really matters.
  2. Technology amplifies our human abilities and creativity. It’s constantly evolving, and we should embrace that change instead of fearing it.
  3. Success takes time and often comes from combining old ideas in new ways. Don't be afraid to start small and learn as you go.

3 Tools That Help Me Make Money Blogging As A Busy Part-Time Creator

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 319 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
💼 Business Blogging Entrepreneurship Online Marketing Digital Tools Content creation
  1. Using a headline analyzer can help you create catchy titles. Catchy headlines make people want to click on your content.
  2. Podia is a useful platform for hosting online courses. It can help you earn money by sharing your skills with others.
  3. Gumroad allows you to offer free products while still making money. People can choose to pay what they think is fair, which can lead to unexpected earnings.

Forever Forgetting Sh!t: Navigating Personal Knowledge Management

QUALITY BOSS • 39 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🚌 Education Knowledge Management Learning Techniques Digital Tools Personal Development
  1. A Personal Knowledge Management System (PKMS) helps you keep track of the huge amount of information we encounter daily. It makes remembering important things easier and less stressful.
  2. Finding the right tools for your PKMS can be challenging. Using too many different apps can create chaos instead of helping you stay organized.
  3. Creating a structured system for storing and retrieving information can boost your creativity and efficiency. It allows you to focus on using your knowledge instead of just trying to remember it.

🏞️ Knowledge Capital unleashed: Maximizing Enterprise Potential with AI Copilots

Work3 - The Future of Work • 157 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Enterprise Data processing Digital Tools Privacy Concerns
  1. Enterprise Copilots are becoming a norm with AI assistants being built by various players to maximize company potential.
  2. Information is vital in organizations and tools like AI assistants can help capture, organize, and use it effectively.
  3. The evolution of Enterprise AI Assistants is expected to progress from basic tasks to executing actions, and companies like Microsoft are leading the way in developing these tools.

Share your unmoderated insights in our new subscriber chat

Unmoderated Insights • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Social media Communication Mobile Apps Digital Tools User engagement
  1. A new subscriber chat is available on Substack for discussions and insights. It's like a group chat where everyone can join in.
  2. You can use the chat to share thoughts, ask questions, or talk about topics like data and social technology.
  3. To join the chat, you need to download the Substack app and look for the chat icon to start connecting.

Driving Traffic to Your Blog Using Link Bait

Blogging Guide • 179 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
💼 Business Blogging SEO Content creation Marketing Digital Tools
  1. Creating link bait can attract backlinks to your blog and improve search engine rankings.
  2. Types of link bait include infographics, controversial posts, in-depth guides, interviews, and humorous content.
  3. To promote your link bait, use social media, email marketing, influencer outreach, make it visually appealing, and ensure it is shareable.

☞ The Spreadsheet is a Simulation Machine

Cabinet of Wonders • 88 HN points • 11 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Software Digital Tools Computer Science Innovation
  1. Spreadsheets are powerful simulation machines that allow users to build little worlds, play with scenarios, and predict the future.
  2. Spreadsheets are widely used in various fields such as small businesses, hedge funds, and biology laboratories due to their power, transparency, and ease of use.
  3. The act of creating and modifying a spreadsheet is akin to world-building, where users can manipulate data, test different parameters, and see how systems respond.

USAF Aircraft Maintenance Standard, xAI $6B, Postman Leak

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Digital Tools Data security APIs Fintech
  1. ChatGPT and Sora experienced service outages, affecting many users. This situation shows how important it is for digital services to have strong systems, especially during busy times.
  2. The U.S. Air Force is creating a new standard for aircraft maintenance that will help both military and commercial aviation. This is a big step towards improving safety and efficiency in aircraft upkeep.
  3. A major leak revealed that thousands of Postman Workspaces exposed sensitive data like API keys. This highlights how crucial it is to secure digital information to prevent cyber risks.

How to Embed a Substack Form in Your WordPress Site

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 119 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Web Development Digital Tools Online Publishing Content creation Social media
  1. You can easily add a Substack sign-up form to your WordPress site. This helps more people subscribe to your newsletter directly from your website.
  2. Setting it up is straightforward if you have a Substack account. Just copy some code from Substack and paste it into your WordPress site.
  3. Testing the setup is important to confirm everything works well. After you add it, try signing up yourself to see how it looks.

Duplicating Published Decks

Pine • 19 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Software Web Apps Product Updates User Experience Digital Tools
  1. You can now duplicate published decks in your own Pine workspace. This makes it easier to use existing materials and adapt them for your needs.
  2. When duplicating, you can choose how to manage existing decks, like merging new cards or replacing them completely. This gives you control over your content updates.
  3. There are other improvements, like faster loading times for your workspace and better thumbnail generation for sharing on social media. These updates make the platform more user-friendly.

Winter is Here, And So is Gemini

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Machine Learning Digital Tools Innovation
  1. Google's Gemini is finally here after a delayed launch, and it aims to outperform other models like GPT-4 in language tasks.
  2. Gemini has three versions: Ultra for complex tasks, Pro for various tasks, and Nano for efficient on-device use.
  3. The Gemini Ultra version scored impressively high in tests, even beating human experts at some language understanding tasks.

Everybody Likes RAG

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Data science Innovation Digital Tools
  1. RAG stands for retrieval-augmented generation, which is becoming really popular in the tech world. People are eager to use it for their work.
  2. It offers many benefits like better access to current information and helps to verify sources. It's also efficient and cost-effective.
  3. Some see RAG as just a fancy version of prompt engineering, but others think it's essential for growing business applications.

Craft Successful Conversational User Interfaces: Align User Intent With Developed Intent

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 19 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI User Interfaces Chatbots Natural Language Digital Tools
  1. It's important to match what users want to talk about with what the chatbot is set up to respond to. This makes conversations smoother and more enjoyable.
  2. Understanding different user intents helps in designing better chatbot interactions. Analyzing common questions can improve how the chatbot replies.
  3. Chatbots should be regularly updated based on user behavior and feedback. This helps keep the chatbot relevant and able to meet changing needs.

✅ AI adoption in public relations limited, so far

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Public Relations Innovation Digital Tools
  1. AI is not being widely used in public relations yet, with many professionals unsure how to apply it. Only a few people in the industry are actively using AI tools.
  2. Most PR practitioners see the potential benefits of AI, like making work easier and more efficient. However, they have yet to change their workflows significantly because of it.
  3. There's a need for PR professionals to learn about AI and its impacts quickly. If they don't, they might fall behind as other industries integrate AI more effectively.

Internet writing was already obsolete

I have thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 19 Dec 22
🕹 Technology AI Digital Art Creative Writing AI Ethics Digital Tools
  1. Good writing requires time, practice, and thought - there's no quick fix for improving writing skills.
  2. AI can excel at repetitive tasks but lacks originality, ideas, and opinions.
  3. There's a growing dissatisfaction with low-quality, SEO-focused internet writing, creating space for authentic, creative, and meaningful content to flourish.

Hallucinations Acche Hain

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Chatbots Creativity Innovation Digital Tools
  1. Hallucinations in AI models can be a double-edged sword; they can lead to creativity but also cause issues with trust. It's important to think about how much we can rely on these chatbots.
  2. Some researchers believe that hallucinations help chatbots become better partners in creativity. They argue that these 'mistakes' can lead to unexpected and innovative ideas.
  3. Despite the risks, there's a fascination with the unpredictable nature of AI chatbots. Embracing their quirks could potentially unlock new ways of thinking and collaborating.

DALL·E Ho!

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Image Generation Software Development Digital Tools
  1. DALL·E is being revived and the new version, DALL·E 3, is set to be much more advanced than its competitors. It's exciting to see how it can improve image generation technology.
  2. DALL·E 3 can create images with more detail, like better hair and lighting, which is a big step forward. This could help artists and creators in many ways.
  3. When compared to other tools like Midjourney and Stability Diffusion, DALL·E 3 is showing better results so far. This competition can push all technologies to improve even more.

✅ Monday briefing #12: AI bias, hype and creativity, search alerts, lockdown lookup tool, BAME voices, dark social primer, and freelance talent

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 21 Sep 20
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Digital Tools Public Relations Crisis Management Remote work
  1. AI bias is a big issue, as shown by problems where software can misidentify people of different races. It's important to recognize and address bias in technology.
  2. There is a lot of hype around AI, especially in marketing, but much of it is just automation or data analysis. We need to focus on the real capabilities and limitations of AI.
  3. Freelancers are often underused in the PR industry, and companies need to be clearer about how they use freelance talent to improve their services.