From this point on, when I write “AI,” I primarily mean systems based on large language models.
LLMs are tools we have barely begun to understand. Rapid progress in agent harnesses, including recent work around DeepSeek Harness, makes that hard to miss. Context, memory, tools, orchestration, and verification can radically change what the same underlying model can do.
As Kristian Köhntopp argues, using an LLM for complex work without local knowledge, clear instructions, intermediate steps, and review is like judging a new employee before onboarding them. Then blaming the employee for not knowing where anything is kept.
Before embracing or rejecting LLMs, we should first understand what sort of tool is sitting on the desk. False promises do not help. When they fail, they harm people and make responsible adoption harder.
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