Ask HN: Are people generally interested using LLMs for learning purposes?

tlb · 2026-06-23T19:25:39.000Z 1782242739

I just ask LLMs questions about things I'm curious about. I don't really want to follow someone else's predefined curriculum. A curriculum is necessary when the information has to be delivered in a lecture, but not in a 1-1 interactive setting.

If you type "I want to learn CUDA programming. Where should I start?" into Claude, it gives a pretty plausible outline. It's not clear what an app could add to it.

caprock · 2026-06-23T21:41:34.000Z 1782250894

Same. The ability to investigate a topic from almost any angle or starting point has been really fun and helpful.

mmarian · 2026-06-23T19:29:54.000Z 1782242994

I've used it to teach myself system design in a way that works for me, enabled me to land a new job.

Use case doesn't take off because you need to critically assess what it's telling you and push back if it doesn't make sense.

wseqyrku · 2026-06-23T19:16:54.000Z 1782242214

The most vocal crowd that I've heard from so far aren't interested in learning with AI, because it has to do everything and why its so slow GENERATE EVERYTHING.

Sakuna207266 · 2026-06-23T20:48:11.000Z 1782247691

I honestly just find topics I'm intrested in and ask the LLM. I have multiple long chats running and whenever I have a question about that topic, I continue it. This has honestly given me so much general knowledge, even for the very niche things like subway train software or very useful stuff like giving me tailored advice to improve my sleep.

For more complex stuff, like setting up AWS object storage, it can honestly teach you step by step, that is if you're willing to actually absorb the information.

ex-aws-dude · 2026-06-23T21:41:44.000Z 1782250904

Because you don’t need a separate app for that

You can just do it in the chat interface

People do that all the time now

FergusArgyll · 2026-06-23T19:22:34.000Z 1782242554

Why do you need an app? I learn using AI, I don't see what needs to be improved (Aside from making it smarter etc. which an app can't do)

andy99 · 2026-06-23T19:19:24.000Z 1782242364

You don’t learn anything from LLMs. They are good as a reference, not teaching.

They are likely actually worse than other electronic learning (which is already bad) because of how human preference optimized they are, same as eating ultra processed food is easy but not very good for you.