The hottest Interfaces Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

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.

Native Speakers

Artificial Ignorance • 92 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Automation Interfaces Development
  1. There are two main ways AI is changing our digital world. One way focuses on creating new tools and software that work best for AI, while the other makes AI adapt to the existing tools we already use.
  2. Using structured methods for AI can make software development easier and more efficient. However, there's also a benefit in letting AI learn from messy, human-centered systems which can lead to faster improvements and wider usage.
  3. The future of AI in our daily tasks may not be about choosing one approach over another. Instead, it will likely blend structured and unstructured methods, finding a balance that works for both humans and AIs.

Goodbye, Menu Interfaces

In My Tribe • 440 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Interfaces Software User Experience Innovation
  1. Menu interfaces on websites may soon disappear. Instead of searching through menus, people will just ask AI what they need.
  2. Using AI means users can create their own features and functions. This makes getting information or services much easier and more personal.
  3. Web design jobs could change a lot as sites become less necessary. AI will interact with databases, and users will communicate with AI instead.

Publisher + Subscribers ~ Observer Pattern

System Design Classroom • 419 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Patterns System Design Programming Interfaces
  1. The Observer Pattern creates a one-to-many relationship. This means when one object's state changes, all of the connected objects are notified.
  2. Components can be loosely coupled, allowing them to work together without needing to know much about each other. This makes it easy to add or change observers.
  3. Because observers can be added or removed without modifying the main subject, the system stays flexible. This helps avoid complications in your design.

All I want in AI is some context and a chat window

Pedram's Data Based • 20 implied HN points • 22 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Interfaces Automation Data Management
  1. Having a simple chat interface makes it easy for non-technical people to use AI tools. This helps in accessing valuable resources without needing complex setups.
  2. Providing relevant context is crucial for the effectiveness of AI. When the right information is fed to AI, it can give much better and accurate responses.
  3. Integrating tools and data sources can improve AI's capabilities but remains a challenge. Companies need better systems to pull together all the necessary information for their teams.
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#134 Designed (not) to last

Design Lobster • 479 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🪑 Design Interfaces Art Sculpture Creativity
  1. Ephemeral user interfaces could enhance experiences by creating interactive elements within message threads.
  2. Designers can learn from Andy Goldsworthy's approach of transforming natural materials into symbolic compositions.
  3. Life is ephemeral, so make the most of your designs and creations to have a lasting impact.

Unpredictable Black Boxes are Terrible Interfaces

Maneesh’s Substack • 217 HN points • 30 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Interfaces Conversational AI Generative AI
  1. Generative AI models can produce high-quality content but are terrible interfaces due to unpredictable output based on input controls.
  2. Well-designed interfaces allow users to predict how input controls affect outputs, reducing the need for trial-and-error.
  3. Humans, despite being imperfect interfaces, are still better collaborators than AI due to shared semantics and repair mechanisms in conversations.

Intents: the end-game for computing interfaces?

Router by Dmitry Pimenov • 2 HN points • 11 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Interfaces Programming AI Computing Automation
  1. Computing interfaces are evolving from specific command-based systems to more user-friendly methods that focus on overall goals. This makes it easier for developers to work on what really matters instead of getting bogged down in details.
  2. Intent-driven interfaces allow us to express our thoughts directly to machines, removing the need for complicated steps. This means we can communicate what we want in a more natural way.
  3. The rise of AI and new technologies is shifting how we interact with computers. Soon, we may even communicate our intentions directly from our minds, making technology feel more personal and easier to use.

Ant farms and PEER Protocols

Data People Etc. • 53 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Protocols Interfaces Privacy Economy
  1. The PEER protocol is all about making sure that AI assistants are safe and respect our privacy. They should only act on our permission, keep our personal info secure, and even be stored directly on our devices.
  2. AI agents, referred to as 'ants', represent a collective intelligence instead of individual personalities. They're designed to work tirelessly and learn about our preferences to provide better service.
  3. Removing screens from our interactions with technology may reduce information overload, but it also raises trust issues. Users need to believe that their AI assistants will share only what's essential, without important details going missing.

Patterns and Predictions for 2024

The Intersection • 98 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Interfaces Creativity Automation Predictions
  1. Creativity is now decentralized, allowing anyone with the will and tenacity to create, thanks to technology advancement.
  2. Platforms still hold power over creators, and AI will continue to deindustrialize various types of work, transforming the landscape.
  3. The future holds doing more with less, the 10-80-10 rule of AI in content creation, and an interface shift in areas like search, commerce, and automotive.

Interface as Stage, AI as Theater

Cybernetic Forests • 139 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Interfaces Language Models Digital Infrastructure Chatbots
  1. AI is first and foremost an interface, designed to shape our interactions with technology in a specific way.
  2. The power of AI lies in its design and interface, creating illusions of capabilities and interactions.
  3. Language models like ChatGPT operate on statistics and probabilities, leading to scripted responses rather than genuine conversations.

Putting AI To Work

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 39 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🕹 Technology AI Automation Software Data Interfaces
  1. AI tools can help businesses automate tasks and improve efficiency without needing coding skills. This makes it easier for companies to integrate AI into their workflows.
  2. It's important to have a single platform that can manage different AI models together. This way, organizations can create more effective applications by combining the strengths of various models.
  3. Moving AI projects from ideas to reality requires careful planning and testing. Organizations need to ensure models are well-trained before using them in real-world applications.

The last millimetre problem

Interesting bits • 98 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Interfaces Neurotechnology Human-Machine Interaction Immersion
  1. Our human-machine interfaces are closing the gap from real-time to anticipatory interfaces, through devices like AirPods and smartwatches.
  2. Technological advancements are enabling companies like Apple to move towards interfaces that react before users are even aware of their thoughts.
  3. Society is evolving into a digital superorganism, transforming how we communicate and think collectively.

Natural Language Is an Unnatural Interface

Public Experiments • 154 HN points • 27 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI Interfaces Natural Language Processing AI Applications Open-source models
  1. Natural language interfaces for AI are challenging due to the vast degree of freedom in text input.
  2. Prompt engineering is crucial for effectively utilizing large language models to ensure correct and meaningful responses.
  3. For most users, interacting with AI systems through buttons and defined interfaces can lead to more efficient and seamless experiences compared to using natural language prompts.

Be a centaur

Sunday Letters • 39 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Modeling Interfaces User Experience
  1. Technology is changing fast, and it's important to keep learning and adapting. It's easy to think things have settled down, but we're still on an upward curve.
  2. As AI models improve, they will be more useful in specific areas. It's crucial to understand how to use these models effectively to stay competitive.
  3. To stay relevant, we need to focus on asking the right questions instead of just knowing the answers. Learning how to work with AI tools can give you an edge.

What is a data product?

davidj.substack • 71 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Data Products Interfaces Applications
  1. A data product can take various forms and be consumed in different ways, always requiring an interface for consumption.
  2. From raw data like CSV files to refined database tables, streams, JSON files, and ORM abstracted layers, all can be considered data products.
  3. BI tools, AI automation, and semantic layers play crucial roles in creating consumable data products for various industries, making data more refined and accessible.

We have always wanted to talk to the machines

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Communication Programming Human-Computer Interfaces
  1. People are excited about talking to machines, especially using AI chat interfaces. It feels more personal and direct than using complicated software.
  2. For a long time, we've been trying to create a common language with computers. Starting from binary code, we've developed better ways to communicate with them.
  3. Now, we can often talk to computers more naturally and get them to understand us, which is something we've always wanted to achieve. This progress makes plain text communication feel exciting once again.

From Punch Cards to AI Agents: The Evolution of Computing Interfaces

The Future of Life • 1 HN point • 14 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Interfaces Human-Computer Computing Innovation
  1. AI personal agents will soon replace screens and keyboards, using voice and video to interact with us. They will be more like assistants who help manage our tasks while we focus on the bigger picture.
  2. These agents will understand our preferences and handle transactions for us, much like a personal librarian suggesting books. We can still browse if we want, but the agent will personalize the experience.
  3. AI agents will help us create content as well, handling everything from gathering information to visualizing data. This will make it easier for us to express ideas without getting bogged down in technical details.

AI and the Third Age of Human-Computer Interaction

Year 2049 • 15 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Interfaces UX Design Chatbots Machine Learning
  1. In the First Age of Human-Computer Interaction, communication with machines was through code like punched cards.
  2. The Second Age introduced point-and-click interfaces, making interactions more visual and user-friendly.
  3. The Third Age brings natural language interactions where AI understands us, like with ChatGPT, changing how we interact with technology.

AI's Interface Revolution

Digital Native • 1 HN point • 26 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Interfaces Startups Distribution Privacy
  1. AI is revolutionizing how we interact with products and services, blurring lines between human relationships and digital companions.
  2. The AI interface revolution is happening quickly, similar to the mobile revolution that some companies almost missed.
  3. New AI applications are changing how we shop, find support, and communicate, with AI-native companies emerging and traditional distribution strategies evolving.

AI Bring Back Analog Interfaces

Erik Explores • 0 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Design Interfaces User Experience
  1. AI technology could bring back physical analog interfaces with buttons, dials, and sliders, allowing for innovative design concepts.
  2. Luxury brands use simple interfaces but signal sophistication through material quality and intricate design, challenging the assumption that simplicity equals low quality.
  3. Tactile feedback from physical interfaces like buttons and dials can be more user-friendly and efficient in tasks like driving and cooking compared to touch-based interfaces, due to the principle of progressive disclosure.

Dramatic interfaces

31 Seconds • 0 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Interfaces Software Agents
  1. In certain fields like government and healthcare, dealing with conflict is unavoidable.
  2. There's a need for software interfaces that can handle drama and conflict, not just transactional interactions.
  3. Dramatic intelligence is crucial for the future development of software interfaces, especially with the rise of advanced language models.

invisible terminal

Kotobago Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Computing Accessibility Interfaces Storage
  1. Ubiquitous computing may not always involve augmented displays, but could include no display at all.
  2. Consider exploring how blind individuals use computers and the tools they use for programming.
  3. Blob storage can offer a modern alternative to conventional filesystem navigation by eliminating the need for creating folders.

Gesture control and the QWERTY effect

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 13
🕹 Technology Interfaces Wearables Devices Start-ups
  1. Our interaction with devices has evolved from keyboards to touchscreens and gestures.
  2. Personal-specific interfaces like MYO offer customization for individuals, while device-specific interfaces like LeapMotion rely on standardized gestures.
  3. The battle between device-specific and personal-specific interfaces has implications for entrepreneurial strategies in the interface space.