Simon Willison on AI

Simon Willison@simonw

Today in definitions of "agent", we had: 1. "systems that independently accomplish tasks on behalf of users" 2. "LLMs equipped with instructions and tools" Both from @OpenAI - the first from their blog post, the second from the docs for their new OpenAI Agents SDK

383 likes28 repliesPosted Mar 11, 2025

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Viral score

Based on absolute engagement — the platform doesn’t expose follower counts here, so large accounts score higher.

From likes, comments.

Why it worked

Opens with a short, self-contained line that is easy to take in at a glance.
Follows a clear Hook → List → Landing shape, so the reader always knows where they are.
The opening line stands alone, so it reads completely before the post is expanded.
Written from experience rather than as advice, which is harder to argue with.
Short enough to read in full without expanding, which removes a step before the point lands.
Short sentences keep the pace up, so the reader never has to re-read a line.

The mechanics

Hook: Announcement
Structure: Hook → List → Landing
Style: Listed out, so each point can be lifted on its own.
Tone: punchy, corporate
Written for: People building with AI

Analysis by ViralLoop — not written by the original author.

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