Artie, a YC S23 startup building AI-powered tools for game developers, is seeking a Founding Product Engineer (#3). This role will be instrumental in shaping the core product, designing and building user interfaces, and implementing integrations with game engines like Unity and Unreal. The ideal candidate possesses strong frontend skills (React, Typescript), experience with 3D graphics or game development, and a passion for building tools that empower creators. This is a high-impact opportunity to join an early-stage team and contribute to the future of game development.
Arroyo, a serverless stream processing platform built for developers and recently graduated from Y Combinator's Winter 2023 batch, has been acquired by Cloudflare. The Arroyo team will be joining Cloudflare's Workers team to integrate Arroyo's technology and further develop Cloudflare's stream processing capabilities. They believe this partnership will allow them to scale Arroyo to a much larger audience and accelerate their roadmap, ultimately delivering a more robust and accessible stream processing solution.
HN commenters generally expressed positive sentiment towards the acquisition, seeing it as a good outcome for Arroyo and a smart move by Cloudflare. Some praised Arroyo's stream processing approach as innovative and well-suited to Cloudflare's Workers platform, predicting it would enhance Cloudflare's serverless capabilities. A few questioned the wisdom of selling so early, especially given Arroyo's apparent early success, suggesting they could have achieved greater independence and potential value. Others discussed the implications for the stream processing landscape and potential competition with existing players like Kafka and Flink. Several users shared personal anecdotes about their positive experiences with Cloudflare Workers and expressed excitement about the possibilities this acquisition unlocks. Some also highlighted the acquisition's potential to democratize access to complex stream processing technology by making it more accessible and affordable through Cloudflare's platform.
Telli, a YC F24 startup building a collaborative knowledge-sharing platform akin to a shared second brain, is hiring founding engineers in Berlin, Germany. They're seeking individuals passionate about building intuitive and collaborative products using technologies like TypeScript, React, and Node.js. The ideal candidate is excited about early-stage startups, shaping product direction, and working directly with the founding team in a fast-paced, impactful environment. Relocation support is available.
HN commenters express skepticism about the viability of Telli's business model, questioning the market demand for another note-taking app, especially one focused on engineers. Several commenters point out the crowded nature of this market segment and suggest the need for a strong differentiator beyond what's described in the linked hiring page. Some also raise concerns about the emphasis on on-site work in Berlin, potentially limiting the applicant pool. Finally, a few commenters express confusion about Telli's value proposition and how it differs from existing tools like Notion or Obsidian. There is a general lack of enthusiasm and a sense that Telli needs to articulate its unique selling proposition more effectively to attract talent.
Extend (a YC W23 startup) is hiring engineers to build their LLM-powered document processing platform. They're looking for experienced full-stack and backend engineers proficient in Python and React to help develop core product features like data extraction, summarization, and search. The ideal candidate is excited about the potential of LLMs and eager to work in a fast-paced startup environment. Extend aims to streamline how businesses interact with documents, and they're offering competitive salary and equity for those who join their team.
Several Hacker News commenters express skepticism about the long-term viability of building a company around LLM-powered document processing, citing the rapid advancement of open-source LLMs and the potential for commoditization. Some suggest the focus should be on a very specific niche application to avoid direct competition with larger players. Other comments question the need for a dedicated tool, arguing existing solutions like GPT-4 might already be sufficient. A few commenters offer alternative application ideas, including leveraging LLMs for contract analysis or regulatory compliance. There's also a discussion around data privacy and security when processing sensitive documents with third-party tools.
Augento, a Y Combinator W25 startup, has launched a platform to simplify reinforcement learning (RL) for fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) acting as agents. It allows users to define rewards and train agents in various environments, such as web browsing, APIs, and databases, without needing RL expertise. The platform offers a visual interface for designing reward functions, monitoring agent training, and debugging. Augento aims to make building and deploying sophisticated, goal-oriented agents more accessible by abstracting away the complexities of RL.
The Hacker News comments discuss Augento's approach to RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback), expressing skepticism about its practicality and scalability. Several commenters question the reliance on GPT-4 for generating rewards, citing cost and potential bias as concerns. The lack of open-source components and proprietary data collection methods are also points of contention. Some see potential in the idea, but doubt the current implementation's viability compared to established RLHF methods. The heavy reliance on external APIs raises doubts about the platform's genuine capabilities and true value proposition. Several users ask for clarification on specific technical aspects, highlighting a desire for more transparency.
Wondercraft AI, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is hiring engineers and a designer to build their AI-powered podcasting tool. They're looking for experienced individuals passionate about audio and AI, specifically those proficient in Python (backend/ML), React (frontend), and design tools like Figma. Wondercraft aims to simplify podcast creation, allowing users to generate podcasts from blog posts or other text-based content. They offer competitive salaries and equity, remote work flexibility, and the chance to contribute to an innovative product in a growing market.
The Hacker News comments on the Wondercraft (YC S22) hiring post are few and primarily focus on the company itself rather than the job postings. Some users express skepticism about the long-term viability of AI-generated podcasts, questioning the potential for genuine audience engagement and the perceived value compared to human-created content. Others mention previous AI voice generation projects and speculate about the specific technology Wondercraft is using. There's a brief discussion about the limitations of current AI in replicating natural speech patterns and the potential for improvement in the future. Overall, the comments reflect a cautious curiosity about the platform and its potential impact on podcasting.
Spice Data, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is seeking a software engineer to build their AI-powered contract analysis platform. The ideal candidate is proficient in Python and JavaScript, comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment, and passionate about leveraging large language models (LLMs) to extract insights from complex legal documents. Experience with natural language processing (NLP), information retrieval, or machine learning is a plus. This role offers the opportunity to significantly impact the product's direction and contribute to a rapidly growing company transforming how businesses understand and manage contracts.
HN commenters discuss the unusual job posting from Spice Data (YC S19). Several find the required skill of "writing C code like it's 1974" intriguing, debating whether this implies foregoing modern C practices or simply emphasizes a focus on efficiency and close-to-the-metal programming. Some question the practicality and long-term maintainability of such an approach. Others express skepticism about the company's claim of requiring "PhD-level CS knowledge" for seemingly standard software engineering tasks. The compensation, while unspecified, is a point of speculation, with commenters hoping it justifies the apparently demanding requirements. Finally, the company's unusual name and purported focus on satellite data also draw some lighthearted remarks.
Revyl, a Y Combinator-backed startup (F24) building a platform for interactive learning experiences, is seeking a Front-End Engineer Intern. The ideal candidate has experience with React, JavaScript, and TypeScript, and a passion for building user-friendly interfaces. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining Revyl's web application, collaborating with the engineering team, and contributing to the platform's growth and evolution. This is a paid, remote position offering valuable experience in a fast-paced startup environment.
Hacker News users discuss the Revyl internship posting, primarily focusing on the low offered compensation ($10/hr) for a YC-backed company. Many commenters express disbelief and concern that such a low rate undervalues the intern's work, especially given the expected skills and the association with Y Combinator. Some suggest that this rate may be a typo or misinterpretation, while others speculate about the potential reasons, including exploiting international interns or simply poor budgeting. A few commenters mention their own higher internship earnings, further highlighting the perceived inadequacy of Revyl's offer. The overall sentiment leans towards criticism of the low pay, questioning the company's priorities and treatment of interns.
Continue is a new tool (YC S23) that lets developers create custom AI code assistants tailored to their specific projects and workflows. These assistants can answer questions based on the project’s codebase, write different kinds of code, execute commands, and perform other automated tasks. Users define the assistant's abilities by connecting it to tools like language models (e.g., GPT-4) and APIs, configuring it with prompts and example interactions, and giving it access to relevant files. This enables developers to automate repetitive tasks, enhance code understanding, and boost overall productivity.
HN commenters generally expressed excitement about Continue, particularly its potential for code generation, debugging, and integration with existing tools. Several praised the slick UI/UX and the speed of the tool. Some raised concerns about vendor lock-in and the proprietary nature of the platform, preferring open-source alternatives. There was also discussion around its capabilities compared to GitHub Copilot, with some suggesting Continue offered a more tailored and interactive experience, while others highlighted Copilot's larger training data and established ecosystem. A few commenters requested features like support for more languages and integrations with specific IDEs. Several people inquired about pricing and self-hosting options, indicating strong interest in using Continue for personal projects.
Weave, a YC W25 startup, is seeking a founding product engineer to build the future of online reading. They're developing a collaborative reading platform to facilitate deeper understanding and engagement with complex topics. This role involves designing and building core product features, directly impacting the user experience. Ideal candidates are strong full-stack engineers with a passion for online communities, education, or productivity. Experience with TypeScript/React is preferred, but a proven ability to learn quickly is paramount.
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed skepticism about the extremely broad job description for a founding product engineer at Weave, finding the listed requirements of "full-stack," AI/ML, distributed systems, and mobile development excessive for a single role. Some questioned the feasibility of finding someone proficient in all those areas and suggested the company hadn't properly defined its product vision. Others pointed out the low salary range ($120k-$180k) for such a demanding role, particularly in a competitive market like San Francisco, speculating that it might indicate a lack of funding or unrealistic expectations. A few commenters defended the breadth, suggesting it's common for early-stage startups to require versatility, and emphasizing the learning opportunities inherent in such a role. There was also a brief discussion on the use of AI/ML, with some questioning its necessity at this stage.
Langfuse, a Y Combinator-backed startup (W23) building observability tools for LLM applications, is hiring in Berlin, Germany. They're seeking engineers across various levels, including frontend, backend, and full-stack, to help develop their platform for tracing, debugging, and analyzing LLM interactions. Langfuse emphasizes a collaborative, fast-paced environment where engineers can significantly impact a rapidly growing product in the burgeoning field of generative AI. They offer competitive salaries and benefits, with a strong focus on learning and professional growth.
Hacker News users discussed Langfuse's Berlin hiring push with a mix of skepticism and interest. Several commenters questioned the company's choice of Berlin, citing high taxes and bureaucratic hurdles. Others debated the appeal of developer tooling startups, with some expressing concern about the long-term viability of the market. A few commenters offered positive perspectives, highlighting Berlin's strong tech talent pool and the potential of Langfuse's product. Some users also discussed the specifics of the roles and company culture, seeking more information about remote work possibilities and the overall work environment. Overall, the discussion reflects the complex considerations surrounding startup hiring in a competitive market.
Deepnote, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is hiring for various roles (engineering, design, product, marketing) to build a collaborative data science notebook platform. They emphasize a focus on real-time collaboration, Python, and a slick user interface aimed at making data science more accessible and enjoyable. They're looking for passionate individuals to join their fully remote team, with a preference for those located in Europe. They highlight the opportunity to shape the future of data science tools and work on a rapidly growing product.
HN commenters discuss Deepnote's hiring announcement with a mix of skepticism and cautious optimism. Several users question the need for another data science notebook, citing existing solutions like Jupyter, Colab, and VS Code. Some express concern about vendor lock-in and the long-term viability of a closed-source platform. Others praise Deepnote's collaborative features and more polished user interface, viewing it as a potential improvement over existing tools, particularly for teams. The remote-first, European focus of the hiring also drew positive comments. Overall, the discussion highlights the competitive landscape of data science tools and the challenge Deepnote faces in differentiating itself.
Peter Roberts, an immigration attorney specializing in working with Y Combinator and startup companies, hosted an "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) on Hacker News. He offered to answer questions related to visas for founders, employees, and investors, particularly focusing on the complexities of navigating U.S. immigration law for early-stage companies. He emphasized his experience with O-1A visas for individuals with extraordinary ability, H-1Bs for specialty occupations, and E-2 treaty investor visas, as well as green cards. Roberts also touched upon the challenges and nuances of immigration law, encouraging participants to ask specific questions to receive the most accurate and helpful advice.
Commenters on the "Ask Me Anything" with immigration attorney Peter Roberts largely focus on practical questions related to visas, green cards, and startup-related immigration issues. Several ask about the specifics of the O-1 visa, its requirements, and success rates. Others inquire about the timelines and challenges associated with obtaining green cards through employment, particularly for those on H-1B visas. Some commenters express frustration with the current immigration system and its complexities, while others seek advice on navigating the process for specific scenarios, such as international founders or employees. There's significant interest in Roberts's experience with YC companies and the common immigration hurdles they face. A few commenters also touch upon the ethical considerations of immigration law and the impact of policy changes.
Recurse Center, a retreat for programmers in NYC, is hiring a full-time Office and Operations Assistant. This role involves managing daily office tasks like stocking supplies, handling mail, and assisting with event setup. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and enjoys working in a collaborative environment. They should be comfortable with technology and possess excellent communication skills. Experience with administrative tasks is a plus, but a passion for supporting a learning community is essential. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
HN commenters largely discuss Recurse Center's compensation for the Office and Operations Assistant position, finding the $70-80k salary range too low for NYC, especially given the required experience. Some suggest the range might be a typo or reflect a misunderstanding of the current job market. Others compare it unfavorably to similar roles at other organizations. A few defend the offered salary, citing the potential for learning and career growth at RC, along with benefits and the organization's non-profit status. Several commenters express concern that the low salary will limit applicant diversity. Finally, some question the need for in-office presence given RC's remote-friendly nature and speculate on RC's financial situation.
Continue, a Y Combinator-backed startup building AI-powered coding tools, is hiring a software engineer in San Francisco. They're looking for a strong engineer with experience in areas like distributed systems, type-safe languages, and developer tooling. The ideal candidate will contribute to building core product features, scaling their infrastructure, and improving the developer experience. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI technology and shape the future of coding.
HN commenters discuss the unusual job posting format, which presents as a series of challenges and puzzles rather than a traditional description. Several express skepticism, questioning the relevance of the puzzles to actual software engineering work and suggesting they might filter out otherwise qualified candidates. Some suspect the format is driven by a desire to go viral or attract specific personality types. Others appreciate the unconventional approach, viewing it as a way to identify creative problem-solvers and filter out those lacking genuine interest. The discussion also touches on the potentially high cost of living in San Francisco and the apparent focus on recent grads. A few commenters shared their experiences with the application process, with mixed results regarding its difficulty and relevance.
Garry Tan celebrates Y Combinator's 20th birthday, reflecting on its evolution from a summer program offering $11,000 and ramen to a global institution supporting thousands of founders. He emphasizes YC's consistent mission of helping ambitious builders create the future and expresses gratitude to the founders, alumni, partners, and staff who have contributed to its success over two decades. Tan also looks forward to the future, highlighting YC's continued commitment to supporting founders at all stages, from idea to IPO.
The Hacker News comments on the "Happy 20th Birthday, Y Combinator" post largely express congratulations and fond memories of YC's earlier days. Several commenters reminisce about the smaller, more intimate nature of early batches and the evolution of the program over time. Some discuss the impact YC has had on the startup ecosystem, attributing its success to its simple yet effective model. A few express skepticism about the long-term sustainability of the accelerator model or criticize YC's shift towards larger, later-stage companies. There's also a thread discussing the origins of the "Y Combinator" name, referencing its mathematical and functional programming roots. Overall, the sentiment is positive and celebratory, reflecting on YC's significant influence on the tech world.
Extend (YC W23) is hiring engineers to build their LLM-powered document processing platform. They're looking for frontend, backend, and full-stack engineers to work on features like data extraction, summarization, and search across various document types. The ideal candidate is excited about AI and developer tools and has experience building production-ready software. Extend offers competitive salary and equity, a remote-first environment, and the opportunity to shape the future of how businesses interact with documents.
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed skepticism about the value proposition of using LLMs for document processing, citing issues with accuracy and hallucination. Some suggested that traditional methods, especially for structured documents, remain superior. Others questioned the need for a specialized LLM application in this area, given the rapid advancements in open-source LLMs and tools. There was some discussion of the specific challenges in document processing, such as handling tables and different document formats, with commenters suggesting that these issues are not easily solved by simply applying LLMs. A few commenters also inquired about the company's specific approach and the types of documents they are targeting.
ParadeDB, a YC S23 startup building a distributed, relational, NewSQL database in Rust, is hiring a Rust Database Engineer. This role involves designing and implementing core database components like query processing, transaction management, and distributed consensus. Ideal candidates have experience building database systems, are proficient in Rust, and possess a strong understanding of distributed systems concepts. They will contribute significantly to the database's architecture and development, working closely with the founding team. The position is remote and offers competitive salary and equity.
HN commenters discuss ParadeDB's hiring post, expressing skepticism about the wisdom of choosing Rust for a database due to its complexity and potential performance overhead compared to C++. Some question the value proposition of yet another database, wondering what niche ParadeDB fills that isn't already addressed by existing solutions. Others suggest focusing on a specific problem domain rather than building a general-purpose database. There's also discussion about the startup's name and logo, with some finding them unmemorable or confusing. Finally, a few commenters offer practical advice on hiring, suggesting reaching out to university research groups or specialized job boards.
Koko, a mental health service providing anonymous peer support and clinical care, is seeking a CTO/Lead Engineer. This role will be responsible for leading the engineering team, building and scaling the platform, and shaping the technical strategy. The ideal candidate has experience building and scaling consumer-facing products, managing engineering teams, and working with complex data pipelines and infrastructure. This is a crucial role with significant impact, joining a fast-growing company focused on making mental healthcare more accessible.
HN commenters discuss Koko's CTO search, expressing skepticism and concern about the apparent lack of technical leadership within the company, especially given its focus on mental health and reliance on AI. Some question the wisdom of seeking a CTO so late in the company's development, suggesting it points to scaling or architectural challenges. Others raise ethical concerns about the use of AI in mental health, particularly regarding data privacy and the potential for algorithmic bias. Several comments note the potentially high-pressure environment of a mental health startup and the need for a CTO with experience navigating complex ethical and technical landscapes. Finally, the relatively high equity offered (0.5-1%) is seen by some as a red flag, indicating potential instability or a lack of other experienced engineers.
Enhanced Radar, a YC W25 startup, is launching a supplementary air traffic control system designed to prevent near-mid-air collisions (NMACs). Using existing ADS-B data and proprietary algorithms, it provides real-time alerts to controllers and pilots about potential conflicts, even in challenging weather conditions like heavy fog or at night. The system aims to act as a safety net for traditional radar by offering increased situational awareness and reducing controller workload, ultimately contributing to safer skies.
HN users discuss Enhanced Radar's potential, expressing concerns about regulatory hurdles and integration with existing systems. Some question the startup's claims of 100x improvement, emphasizing the complexity of air traffic control and the rigorous safety standards required. Others see value in the proposed technology, especially for smaller aircraft and in areas with less sophisticated radar coverage. The discussion also touches upon the challenges of disrupting established industries like aviation, with comparisons made to previous attempts at innovation in the sector. Several commenters inquire about the specific technology used and the startup's business model.
Cuckoo, a Y Combinator (W25) startup, has launched a real-time AI translation tool designed to facilitate communication within global teams. It offers voice and text translation, transcription, and noise cancellation features, aiming to create a seamless meeting experience for participants speaking different languages. The tool integrates with existing video conferencing platforms and provides a collaborative workspace for notes and translated transcripts.
The Hacker News comments section for Cuckoo, a real-time AI translator, expresses cautious optimism mixed with pragmatic concerns. Several users question the claimed "real-time" capability, pointing out the inherent latency issues in both speech recognition and translation. Others express skepticism about the need for such a tool, suggesting existing solutions like Google Translate are sufficient for text-based communication, while voice communication often benefits from the nuances lost in translation. Some commenters highlight the difficulty of accurately translating technical jargon and culturally specific idioms. A few offer practical suggestions, such as focusing on specific industries or integrating with existing communication platforms. Overall, the sentiment leans towards a "wait-and-see" approach, acknowledging the potential while remaining dubious about the execution and actual market demand.
Distro, a Y Combinator (S24) startup building tools to streamline software distribution and updates, is seeking a Marketing Lead in Palo Alto. This role will own and execute Distro's marketing strategy, focusing on content creation, community building, and demand generation to reach software developers. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in developer-focused marketing, strong communication skills, and a passion for developer tools. Experience with PLG (Product-Led Growth) and the software distribution landscape is a plus.
Several commenters on Hacker News express skepticism about the Distro marketing lead role, questioning the requested experience level for a Series A startup and the emphasis on traditional marketing tactics like billboards and radio ads. Some find the high salary ($170k-$250k) surprising for a marketing position, while others debate the effectiveness of older advertising channels versus digital strategies. A few commenters suggest the role might be better suited to someone with experience in growth marketing rather than brand marketing, given the company's stage and the nature of the product. The relatively high cost of living in Palo Alto is also mentioned as a factor influencing the salary range.
Bild AI is a new tool that uses AI to help users understand construction blueprints. It can extract key information like room dimensions, materials, and quantities, effectively translating complex 2D drawings into structured data. This allows for easier cost estimation, progress tracking, and identification of potential issues early in the construction process. Currently in beta, Bild aims to streamline communication and improve efficiency for everyone involved in a construction project.
Hacker News users discussed Bild AI's potential and limitations. Some expressed skepticism about the accuracy of AI interpretation, particularly with complex or hand-drawn blueprints, and the challenge of handling revisions. Others saw promise in its application for cost estimation, project management, and code generation. The need for human oversight was a recurring theme, with several commenters suggesting AI could assist but not replace experienced professionals. There was also discussion of existing solutions and the competitive landscape, along with curiosity about Bild AI's specific approach and data training methods. Finally, several comments touched on broader industry trends, such as the increasing digitization of construction and the potential for AI to improve efficiency and reduce errors.
Voker, a YC S24 startup building AI-powered video creation tools, is seeking a full-stack engineer in Los Angeles. This role involves developing core features for their platform, working across the entire stack from frontend to backend, and integrating AI models. Ideal candidates are proficient in Python, Javascript/Typescript, and modern web frameworks like React, and have experience with cloud infrastructure like AWS. Experience with AI/ML, particularly in video generation or processing, is a strong plus.
HN commenters were skeptical of the job posting, particularly the required "mastery" of a broad range of technologies. Several suggested it's unrealistic to expect one engineer to be a master of everything from frontend frameworks to backend infrastructure and AI/ML. Some also questioned the need for a full-stack engineer in an AI-focused role, suggesting specialization might be more effective. There was a general sentiment that the job description was a red flag, possibly indicating a disorganized or inexperienced company, despite the YC association. A few commenters defended the posting, arguing that "master" could be interpreted more loosely as "proficient" and that startups often require employees to wear multiple hats. The overall tone, however, was cautious and critical.
Ashby, a Y Combinator-backed recruiting platform, is seeking Principal Product Engineers to join their growing team. They're looking for experienced engineers with strong product sense and a passion for building impactful software to improve the hiring process. Responsibilities include leading the design and development of core product features, mentoring other engineers, and contributing to the overall technical strategy. The ideal candidate possesses expertise in full-stack development, preferably with experience in Ruby on Rails and React. Ashby offers competitive compensation, benefits, and the opportunity to work on a product used by leading companies.
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed skepticism about Ashby's "Principal" Product Engineer role, pointing out what they perceived as a relatively junior-level description of responsibilities and questioning the title's appropriateness. Some suggested the listing was targeted towards less experienced engineers who might be drawn to the "Principal" title, while others wondered if it reflected a broader trend of title inflation in the tech industry. There was also discussion about Ashby's use of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), with commenters debating the merits of such systems and their impact on the hiring process. A few commenters expressed interest in the company and its product, while others shared anecdotes about their own experiences with similar job titles and company cultures.
Posh, a YC W22 startup, is hiring an Energy Analysis & Modeling Engineer. This role will involve building and maintaining energy models to optimize battery performance and efficiency within their virtual power plant (VPP) software platform. The ideal candidate has experience in energy systems modeling, optimization algorithms, and data analysis, preferably with a background in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field. They are looking for someone proficient in Python and comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment.
The Hacker News comments express skepticism and concern about Posh's business model and the specific job posting. Several commenters question the viability of Posh's approach to automating customer service for banks, citing the complexity of financial transactions and the potential for errors. Others express concerns about the low salary offered for the required skillset, particularly given the location (Boston). Some speculate about the high turnover hinted at by the constant hiring and question the long-term prospects of the company. The general sentiment seems to be one of caution and doubt about Posh's potential for success.
Exa Laboratories, a YC S24 startup, is seeking a founding engineer to develop AI-specific hardware. They're building chips optimized for large language models and generative AI, focusing on reducing inference costs and latency. The ideal candidate has experience with hardware design, ideally with a background in ASIC or FPGA development, and a passion for AI. This is a ground-floor opportunity to shape the future of AI hardware.
HN commenters discuss the ambitious nature of building AI chips, particularly for a small team. Some express skepticism about the feasibility of competing with established players like Google and Nvidia, questioning whether a startup can realistically develop superior hardware and software given the immense resources already poured into the field. Others are more optimistic, pointing out the potential for specialization and niche applications where a smaller, more agile company could thrive. The discussion also touches upon the trade-offs between general-purpose and specialized AI hardware, and the challenges of attracting talent in a competitive market. A few commenters offer practical advice regarding chip design and the importance of focusing on a specific problem within the broader AI landscape. The overall sentiment is a mix of cautious interest and pragmatic doubt.
Confident AI, a YC W25 startup, has launched an open-source evaluation framework designed specifically for LLM-powered applications. It allows developers to define custom evaluation metrics and test their applications against diverse test cases, helping identify weaknesses and edge cases. The framework aims to move beyond simple accuracy measurements to provide more nuanced and actionable insights into LLM app performance, ultimately fostering greater confidence in deployed AI systems. The project is available on GitHub and the team encourages community contributions.
Hacker News users discussed Confident AI's potential, limitations, and the broader landscape of LLM evaluation. Some expressed skepticism about the "confidence" aspect, arguing that true confidence in LLMs is still a significant challenge and questioning how the framework addresses edge cases and unexpected inputs. Others were more optimistic, seeing value in a standardized evaluation framework, especially for comparing different LLM applications. Several commenters pointed out existing similar tools and initiatives, highlighting the growing ecosystem around LLM evaluation and prompting discussion about Confident AI's unique contributions. The open-source nature of the project was generally praised, with some users expressing interest in contributing. There was also discussion about the practicality of the proposed metrics and the need for more nuanced evaluation beyond simple pass/fail criteria.
Unsloth AI, a Y Combinator Summer 2024 company, is hiring machine learning engineers. They're building a platform to help businesses automate tasks using large language models (LLMs), focusing on areas underserved by current tools. They're looking for engineers with strong Python and ML/deep learning experience, preferably with experience in areas like LLMs, transformers, or prompt engineering. The company emphasizes a fast-paced, collaborative environment and offers competitive salary and equity.
The Hacker News comments are generally positive about Unsloth AI and its mission to automate tedious data tasks. Several commenters express interest in the technical details of their approach, asking about specific models used and their performance compared to existing solutions. Some skepticism is present regarding the feasibility of truly automating complex data tasks, but the overall sentiment leans towards curiosity and cautious optimism. A few commenters also discuss the hiring process and company culture, expressing interest in working for a smaller, mission-driven startup like Unsloth AI. The YC association is mentioned as a positive signal, but doesn't dominate the discussion.
Converge, a YC S23 startup, is seeking its second engineer to join their New York City team. They are building a platform to automate the creation and management of financial models, primarily for private equity and venture capital. The ideal candidate is a full-stack engineer proficient in Javascript/Typescript and interested in FinTech. Experience with React, Node.js, and cloud platforms like AWS is preferred, but a strong foundation and a desire to learn are highly valued. Converge offers competitive salary and equity, alongside the opportunity to shape the technical direction of a rapidly growing company.
Commenters on Hacker News discuss Converge's early stage and the implications for a potential engineer #2. Several express concerns about joining such a young company, highlighting the risks associated with its unproven business model and the significant influence a single engineer could have, which could be both exciting and potentially overwhelming. Others question the NYC location choice given Converge's focus on construction, a sector not traditionally associated with New York. Some commenters see the posting as a positive sign, suggesting it indicates Converge has secured initial funding and is progressing. A few users express interest in learning more about the company's tech stack. Overall, the sentiment is cautiously curious, with many waiting to see more evidence of Converge's viability before considering it a serious opportunity.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43666112
Hacker News users discussed the Artie job posting, focusing on the requested experience level for a "founding engineer." Many felt the requirements, including experience with scaling systems and leading teams, were excessive for a third engineer at an early-stage startup. Some argued that such demands indicate a lack of understanding about early-stage company needs, where adaptability and rapid development are often more valuable than scaling expertise. Others suggested the company might be looking for a more senior "lead engineer" disguised as a founding engineer, possibly due to funding levels or founder background. The high salary offered ($200k-$300k) was also mentioned, with some believing it reflected the demanding requirements, while others considered it potentially inflated for the stage of the company. A few commenters also discussed Artie's product itself, an AI-powered writing assistant, expressing skepticism about its differentiation in a competitive market.
The Hacker News post titled "Artie (YC S23) Is Hiring Engineer #3" linking to a Y Combinator job posting for Artie has generated a modest number of comments, primarily focused on the perceived difficulty of the technical challenge Artie is tackling.
One commenter expresses skepticism about the feasibility of achieving the stated goals, specifically questioning whether building a "truly open-ended creative AI writing assistant" is currently possible. They suggest that the current state of AI is more suited to narrow, well-defined tasks and that achieving true open-ended creativity in writing is a significantly more challenging problem. This comment raises a core concern about the ambitious nature of the project and implicitly questions whether applicants should be concerned about the technical viability of the company's vision.
Another commenter focuses on the specific requirement for candidates to have experience with large language models (LLMs), arguing that this limits the potential applicant pool to those who have worked with these cutting-edge technologies, which are still relatively new. This observation highlights the specialized skills needed for the position and suggests that Artie is looking for highly qualified individuals with specific experience in a rapidly evolving field. They also subtly imply that the requirement might unnecessarily restrict the applicant pool, potentially excluding talented individuals with transferable skills.
Further discussion ensues around the practicalities of using LLMs for creative writing, with one user pointing out the inherent difficulty in generating long-form coherent narratives with current AI technology. They elaborate by mentioning issues like repetition and maintaining consistent characterization across a longer piece of writing, highlighting the challenges of applying LLMs to complex creative tasks.
A later comment expresses interest in the position but also voices some concerns about the company's commitment to open-source principles. They question the long-term plan for Artie and whether the company intends to remain dedicated to open source, indicating a desire for more information about the company's future direction. This commenter represents a potential applicant who is interested in the technical challenge but also wants to ensure alignment with their personal values regarding open-source software.
Finally, another comment shifts the focus from technical challenges to the market opportunity, suggesting that the market for AI writing tools might be saturated and that Artie needs a clear differentiator to succeed. This comment introduces a business-oriented perspective to the discussion, raising the question of whether Artie can carve out a niche in a competitive landscape.
In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post express a mixture of intrigue, skepticism, and pragmatic concern regarding the technical challenges, market opportunity, and company direction of Artie. While some are excited about the potential of the technology, others raise valid concerns about the feasibility of the project and the specific requirements for the role. The comments provide a diverse range of perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing Artie as they seek to hire their third engineer.