Hey, I'm Jeff.
Co-host of What the AI?! podcast. I write about AI, technology, and the choices we're making with both. Previously: Upstart (founding team), Google. Subscribe on Substack to get new posts by email.
Latest Posts
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Regularization in Policy
A few years ago, when I was learning machine learning concepts — mostly so I could explain them to others — I came across an idea that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. Not because of what it means for AI, but because of what it means for everything else.
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Zone of Probable Impact
There is so much commentary and analysis about the field of AI these days. Perhaps too much. But I also feel that much of it is exaggerated and hyperbolic. You can generally break down analysts into one of four categories.
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Building as a Generalist
I shipped an iPhone app last month. It’s called Whose Turn — it does one simple thing: tracks who paid last when you and a friend take turns picking up the check. (It’s in the App Store here if you want to see it.)
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Stop Telling AI What You Want — Show It
Most advice about working with AI boils down to some version of “be specific about what you want.” Write a better prompt. Describe the output in detail. Give clear instructions. That’s fine — but I’ve found there’s a much more powerful move that most people skip entirely.
Show it what good looks like.
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Why I'm an AI Optimist
I spend most of my time these days reading, thinking, writing, and podcasting about AI. And I’m optimistic about where it’s headed — substantively optimistic. Not in the “everything will be fine, don’t worry” sense, but in the “history gives us strong reasons to believe this will be net positive” sense.