Thread

1. joegibbs · 1790897129 · focus · HN ↗

   There's one of mine in there where I predicted in 2023 that it would be 20 years until AI would be reliably able to entirely build and deploy arbitrary applications from a prompt. I was off by about 18 years on that one!

   1. ASalazarMX · 1790898900 · focus · HN ↗

      One challenge of mine is a self-hosted AI doing my full tax return, without errors that would get me in trouble. Bonus points if it exploits legal loopholes.

      I want AI to replace me in my chores, not in my enjoyable activities.

      1. tehjoker · 1790900377 · focus · HN ↗

         That particular one is solved in other countries. The tax authority just sends you a bill and you text yes or no. Only people with very complex situations need to file.

         They don't do this in this country because (a) it's a political project to make people to sympathize with the rich by feeling their pain (b) it's a great scheme for legalized corruption by creating incentives to build companies around a fake problem.

         1. User23 · 1790902989 · focus · HN ↗

            Actually you can do this in the USA.

            You can just ask the IRS for your "tax transcripts" and do the data entry. People don't do this because it leaves tons of money on the table.

            Now you might say that a tax game that rewards skilled play is bad. But are you sure about that? Because everyone with influence over the system (who all happen to be skilled players) happens to be quite fond of the game, observably speaking.

            1. crote · 1790906239 · focus · HN ↗

               > People don't do this because it leaves tons of money on the table.

               In my country I literally got a letter from the government if I could please file my taxes, because they believe the automatic deductions are too high so I am likely owed a back payment. In a previous year (I am not very good with non-timing-critical paperwork) they even called me on my personal cell to inform me about something similar.

               The slogan of our tax collection agency is "we can't make it more enjoyable, we can only make it easier". If you're a regular employee and your taxes - deductibles or not - are a hassle, then that's 100% a political choice.

            2. tehjoker · 1790996378 · focus · HN ↗

               What income bracket are you in? I get very few benefits from doing it myself and I have to pay money to a preparer (online or otherwise).

               In other countries, you can still do it yourself, you just don't have to do it if it's simple.

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