WHAT WE COVER
THE CHANGES WORTH UNDERSTANDING
Important models, useful tools, open projects, research, platform shifts, and the ways AI changes ordinary human work and life.
ABOUT THE PLAIN SIGNAL
INDEPENDENT AI REPORTING, WITHOUT THE FOG.
The Plain Signal turns fast-moving AI news into useful explanations for people who would rather understand the thing than applaud the announcement.
ZN
FOUNDER AND EDITOR
ZAK NOVAK
Zak founded The Plain Signal to make consequential AI developments understandable without flattening them into hype. He selects the stories, shapes the editorial angle, reviews the evidence, and is accountable for what gets published. The publication is an independent project from Curious Current.
THE STANDARD
CLARITY WITH RECEIPTS
Reporting and analysis stay distinct. Important claims lead back to direct sources. Uncertainty is stated plainly instead of being polished into confidence.
THE READER AGREEMENT
SIX PROMISES, WRITTEN DOWN.
Every story has a named editor responsible for it.
Verified reporting stays separate from analysis.
Primary sources remain visible whenever possible.
Corrections are treated as maintenance, not embarrassment.
Sponsored work is labeled clearly.
No sponsor gets editorial approval.
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