The hottest Tech Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Elon Musk’s terrifying vision for AI

Marcus on AI • 10908 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Data Privacy Tech Ethics Big Tech
  1. Elon Musk's AI, Grok, is seen as a powerful tool for propaganda. It can influence people's thoughts and attitudes without them even realizing it.
  2. The technology behind Grok often produces unreliable results, raising concerns about its effectiveness in important areas like government and education.
  3. There is a worry that Musk's use of biased and unreliable AI could have serious consequences for society, as it might spread misinformation widely.

The Five Stages of AGI Grief

Marcus on AI • 6205 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Computing Innovation Tech Ethics
  1. Many people are changing what they think AGI means, moving away from its original meaning of being as smart as a human in flexible and resourceful ways.
  2. Some companies are now defining AGI based on economic outcomes, like making profits, which isn't really about intelligence at all.
  3. A lot of discussions about AGI don't clearly define what it is, making it hard to know when we actually achieve it.

substack f***'d up and now we have to talk about it

astrology for writers • 9512 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Tech Ethics Content Moderation Online Communities Digital Publishing
  1. There are Nazis on Substack, and the platform's founders shirk responsibility for content moderation.
  2. The issue of ethical consumerism is complex and challenging, with no pure choices under capitalism.
  3. Supporting marginalized artists may involve navigating difficult choices between audience support and distribution channels, like Substack.

Report: OpenAI Spends Millions a Year Miscounting the R's in 'Strawberry'

The Algorithmic Bridge • 573 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Tech Ethics Data science Software Development
  1. OpenAI has spent a lot of money trying to fix an issue with counting the letter R in the word 'strawberry.' This problem has caused a lot of confusion among users.
  2. The CEO of OpenAI thinks the problem is silly but feels it's important to address because users are concerned. They are also looking into redesigning how their models handle letter counting.
  3. Some employees joked about extreme solutions like eliminating red fruits to avoid the R issue. They are also thinking of patches to improve letter counting, but it's clear they have more work to do.

Weighing in on Casey Newton's "AI is fake and sucks" debate

The Future, Now and Then • 237 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Skepticism Innovation Criticism Tech Ethics
  1. AI is real, but there's a lot of hype around it. It's important to be skeptical and not just believe everything that's promised.
  2. Critics of AI might have valid concerns even if they sometimes say things that sound extreme. Their worries come from seeing the tech's limitations and potential dangers.
  3. When tech leaders make big promises about AI, we should be cautious. Just because some progress has been made doesn't mean all their predictions will come true.
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Marshall McLuhan on Why Content Moderation is a Red Herring

After Babel • 2883 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Childhood Content Moderation Online safety Tech Ethics
  1. Content moderation is essential, but focusing solely on it overlooks larger issues related to the harmful effects of platforms on kids
  2. The harmful impact of social media on children is not just about the content they consume, but also about the changes in childhood due to excessive screen time
  3. Implementing norms like delaying smartphones until high school could help in restoring a healthier, play-based childhood for kids

Small newsletters, big ideas

Artificial Ignorance • 121 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Data science Tech Culture Tech Ethics
  1. There are many small newsletters focusing on AI that offer unique perspectives and insights. They cover topics that go beyond just technical details.
  2. The newsletters featured are all written by humans and aim to provide long-form articles, making them a great choice for those who want to dive deep into AI discussions.
  3. This is a good way to discover hidden gems in the world of AI content, especially from creators with less than 1,000 subscribers.

Why the internet isn't fun anymore + A.I. and magic

Read Max • 2186 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Internet Artificial Intelligence Culture Silicon Valley Tech Ethics
  1. Many feel the internet is less fun now because of changing demographics and shifting cultural preferences.
  2. The internet may not be objectively worse, but it is used differently by various audiences.
  3. The embrace of AI in tech culture is influenced by historical themes of hierarchical society and authoritarian politics.

Overthinking Elon Musk

Read Max • 2766 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Social media Tech Ethics Business Strategies Digital Advertising
  1. Elon Musk may be making decisions for Twitter based on private-equity strategies to grow revenue and margins quickly.
  2. Product changes on Twitter, like removing headlines, may be aimed at increasing metrics to attract advertisers rather than harming journalism intentionally.
  3. Many negative changes on Twitter may be due to structural power dynamics and financial pressures rather than Elon Musk's personal ideology.

Copilot Designer Poses Public Safety Risk, According To Microsoft Employee

Teaching computers how to talk • 52 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Microsoft Public Safety Tech Ethics
  1. A Microsoft employee raised concerns about the AI image generator Copilot Designer posing public safety risks, but management did not take action.
  2. Despite known risks with Copilot Designer, Microsoft continues to market it without appropriate disclosures.
  3. Jones's revelations highlight the need for transparency in disclosing AI risks, especially when products are marketed to children.

Resisting Deterministic Thinking

Data: Made Not Found (by danah) • 145 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Future Innovation Tech Ethics Decision-making
  1. Deterministic thinking can lead to polarization and distrust in discussions about the future.
  2. Embracing probabilistic thinking is essential for understanding how technologies shape different possible futures.
  3. Projectories can be both beneficial and detrimental, highlighting the need for more nuanced and reflexive thinking about the impacts of technology.

Can our tech calm down?

New Things with Eric Athas • 3 HN points • 07 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Tech Ethics Product Design
  1. Amber Case discusses our cyborg nature and how we have been cyborgs since the first tool, enhancing ourselves with external components.
  2. Examining our relationship with technology is crucial for improving design and ensuring that products work alongside us without overwhelming us.
  3. Designing products with cues and interfaces that inform without overburdening can improve user experience and help us relax, unlike many modern technologies that demand constant attention.

My take on the OpenAI saga (bordering on conspiracy theory)

Laszlo’s Newsletter • 37 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Tech Ethics Innovation Regulation Corporate strategy
  1. Misalignment in startups can lead to problems, particularly when it comes to maintaining a clear direction in the long run.
  2. OpenAI began with aspirations for creating open-source AGI, but evolved over time to face challenges around commercialization and public perception.
  3. The explosion of AI advancements, especially with tools like ChatGPT, sparked global interest and scrutiny, leading to discussions on regulation and the future direction of OpenAI.

chatGPT is amazingly useful while also being dumber than a word processor

Imagination Rabbit (Z) • 19 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Tech Ethics Artificial Intelligence Software Innovation
  1. ChatGPT can generate new dialogue templates quickly, but can struggle with simple tasks like counting words.
  2. There were instances where ChatGPT provided conflicting responses or claimed to not have access to the internet.
  3. The user ultimately canceled their subscription due to ChatGPT's limitations and inconsistencies.

An unbelievable opportunity

Charles Eisenstein • 12 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Digital Media Automation Artificial Intelligence Tech Ethics
  1. Investing in low-tech enterprises can be a unique and profitable opportunity, even in a world dominated by high-tech innovations.
  2. The rise of AI-generated content poses challenges in different sectors like academia, legal writing, and cultural preservation, questioning the authenticity of digital information.
  3. Engaging with physical artifacts like typewriters can offer a tangible connection to reality and a break from the isolation often experienced in the digital world.

Are all hard technical problems AI problems now?

Perceptions • 35 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Deep Learning Automation Programming Tech Ethics
  1. AI has made significant progress in solving complex technical problems in various domains.
  2. Many technical problems can be boiled down to optimization/minimization challenges, which AI is well-equipped to handle.
  3. The advancement in AI technology raises questions about the future of work, centralization, and the impact on different professions.

Searching for the Exit Routes

New World Same Humans • 28 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Future AI Tech Ethics Humanity Philosophy
  1. The conversation about technology and human limits revolves around the dichotomy of transcension and limits, with different perspectives on embracing technological progress or imposing new restrictions.
  2. The tension between transcension and limits reflects the inherent duality of human nature - the infinite and finite parts - leading to the need for new accommodations and ways to negotiate this conflict.
  3. There is a call for a renewed liberalism that accommodates diverse ways of life in the face of technological modernity, providing exit routes out of the current trajectory towards a more inclusive and multi-layered future.

Why I Stopped Using Paid AI Services

The AI Observer • 5 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Research Artificial Intelligence Tech Ethics Innovation
  1. Understanding different scales can provide valuable perspective on personal and global challenges.
  2. Recognizing the interconnectivity of all things can help in decision-making and problem-solving.
  3. Developing scientific literacy by understanding scales in the universe is crucial for informed decision-making in various aspects of modern society.

Read the Roon

Don't Worry About the Vase • 3 HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Mysticism Tech Ethics Existential Risk
  1. Roon is a key figure in discussing AI capabilities and existential risks, promoting thoughtful engagement over fear or denial.
  2. Individuals can impact the development and outcomes of AI by taking action and advocating for responsible practices.
  3. Balancing concerns about AI with a sense of agency and purpose can lead to more constructive discussions and actions towards shaping a beneficial future.

Discipline at a distance

Metal Machine Music by Ben Tarnoff • 39 implied HN points • 04 Dec 19
🕹 Technology Tech Ethics AI Machine Learning
  1. There are both continuities and discontinuities in the evolution of work systems, and understanding the balance between old and new elements is crucial.
  2. Digital technologies have enabled employers in the gig economy to exercise authority over workers even if they are not technically employees, creating a form of discipline at a distance.
  3. The rise of networked digital technologies has allowed for the creation of a labor regime that combines aspects of modern factories and older subcontracting systems, presenting both challenges and opportunities for workers.

Vision Con

The Convivial Society • 2 HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Tech news Digital Media Virtual reality Digital Technologies Tech Ethics
  1. Apple's release of Vision Pro headset has sparked discussions on the implications of technology on our perception of time and attention.
  2. The debate around using Vision Pro in everyday scenarios raises questions about living as a 'creature' vs. living as a 'machine.'
  3. Embracing fullness of presence and depth of experience in everyday moments may lead to a renewed sense of connection and enchantment with the real world.

Làm mạng xã hội để làm gì?

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 15 Oct 19
🕹 Technology Social media Internet Tech Ethics Online Platforms
  1. Creating a social network in Vietnam can offer innovative ideas like connecting users as 'comrades' and providing direct communication with authorities, as seen in the example of VCNet.
  2. Social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube have provided a level playing field in Vietnam, prioritizing intellect and creativity, challenging traditional power dynamics.
  3. Establishing a fair social playground in Vietnam involves addressing existing inequalities, challenging the influence of money, power, and relationships in shaping the rules, and promoting platforms where talents can shine regardless of background.

Enforcing a Social App Ban for Kids

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1 HN point • 19 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Online safety Regulation Market Analysis Tech Ethics
  1. Social media apps can negatively impact kids' mental health, so the proposal suggests banning them for children under 18 to protect them.
  2. The proposal focuses on creating an Adult Social App Reporter (ASAR) to detect Adult Social Apps on kids' phones without compromising privacy or requiring physical access.
  3. The strategy is geared towards reducing the attractiveness of social media apps to kids by enforcing rules for Adult Social Apps and involving parents and schools in monitoring and compliance.

Why on earth are we already lamenting the fall of LLMs?

Deus In Machina • 0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Programming Tech Ethics Machine Learning Digital Tools
  1. Some users expect too much from Large Language Models without putting in additional effort or guidance.
  2. Language models like ChatGPT should be viewed as tools that require ongoing optimization and understanding.
  3. There are various alternatives to ChatGPT, and users should explore and compare different Large Language Models to find the best fit for their needs.