HackerNoon Technology Polls
HackerNoon readers are younger, wealthier and more educated than the internet's average.
These polls represent where forward thinking technologists see the industry headed.
BLOCKCHAINTECHNOLOGY
Will true decentralization ever be achieved?
Decentralization - the ultimate goal of modern internet development. Will it be able to leverage blockchain and peer-to-peer networks to shift power from central authorities to communities, promoting collective trust and transparency?
21% Yes – True decentralization is achievable. Innovative technologies and evolving governance models can eventually overcome centralized power structures.
22% No – It’s unlikely true decentralization will ever be realized. Challenges like scalability, economic incentives, and inherent human tendencies toward hierarchy may always lead to some centralization.
43% It depends – It may depend on the definition and context. The feasibility of true decentralization can vary depending on how it is defined across technical, political, and social contexts.
12% Unsure – I need more information before deciding. The complexities and evolving nature of decentralization leave some uncertain until further evidence and developments emerge.
310 Voters
Can Trump's Proposed U.S. Crypto Reserve Be Trusted?
Donald Trump has proposed a U.S. "Strategic Crypto Reserve" to boost the nation's role in digital assets, initially including XRP, Solana, and Cardano—later expanding to Bitcoin and Ethereum. He claims this initiative will counter past regulatory crackdowns and solidify the U.S. as a crypto leader. However, questions remain about the transparency, oversight, and potential conflicts of interest—especially given Trump’s personal involvement in crypto ventures.
35% Yes, it’s a smart move regardless of the messenger
26% No, it’s risky and untrustworthy
24% It’s just a political stunt
12% Not sure yet
372 Voters
Has Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency gone too far?
From cutting federal jobs to slashing budgets, Musk is not coming in slow. Has he gone too far?
34% It's not going nearly far enough
12% Some of the moves are extreme but necessary
8% I'm not sure
43% Someone needs to shut DOGE down
403 Voters
Has the TV streaming industry completely ruined itself?
Streaming was supposed to save us from cable… but now it feels worse. More services, rising prices, and ads everywhere—has the industry ruined itself? Vote now!
31% Yes! Too expensive, too many services
25% Cable was better—at least it was simple
36% I just pirate now, like everyone else
7% No, more options = better content
582 Voters
Which Is the Best Chatbot?
The AI/chatbot race is in full force, and we want to know which one you think is the best in terms of factual correctness, creativity, etc.
40% ChatGPT
18% Claude
10% Perplexity
24% DeepSeek
5% Other (Let us know in the comments below!)
512 Voters
How do you view the impact of Trump’s tariffs on the technology sector and U.S. consumers?
Recent reports highlight that Trump's tariff policy is stirring debate. While the tariffs aim to boost domestic production and protect American jobs, they are also linked to rising consumer prices and challenges for tech companies, leaving the overall impact uncertain.
26% Boost for Domestic Innovation: Tariffs support U.S. jobs and tech production despite slight price hikes.
19% A Pricey Gamble: Tariffs raise costs for tech companies and consumers with unclear benefits.
10% Mixed Effects: The policy shows both upsides and downsides across sectors.
44% Outdated Strategy: Tariffs disrupt global supply chains and increase prices in today's economy.
219 Voters
Is China's DeepSeek the Biggest AI Breakthrough Yet?
Chinese AI company DeepSeek has taken the tech world by storm with the release of its open reasoning model, R1. It’s said to outperform OpenAI’s models in some areas and cost just $5.6 million to train—way less than the hundreds of millions spent by big players like OpenAI and Google DeepMind. Its success, achieved despite U.S. sanctions, has sparked debates about the future of AI development.
42% Yes, it's a game-changer.
22% No, just impressive.
25% Too early to tell.
9% It's overhyped.
474 Voters
What’s your go-to productivity app this year?
25% Notion
25% Obsidian
36% ChatGPT/Bard/Copilot
11% Something else (share in comments!)
360 Voters
Should students in high school and universities be allowed to use Generative AI to write academic papers?
This question reflects a critical debate in modern education as AI tools like ChatGPT and others become increasingly accessible. Advocates argue that AI can be a valuable educational resource, helping students enhance their writing, organize ideas, and understand complex concepts. On the other hand, critics worry about plagiarism, loss of originality, and over-reliance on technology, potentially undermining students' ability to develop critical thinking and writing skills.
27% Yes, with no restrictions – Generative AI can be a legitimate tool for writing academic papers.
39% Yes, but only as a support tool – AI can assist with ideas or editing but not write the entire paper.
8% Only for specific cases – Allow AI for certain subjects or non-graded assignments.
24% No, it should be prohibited – Writing should remain entirely the student’s work to uphold academic integrity.
207 Voters
Do You Think AI Will Continue to Thrive in 2025?
In recent years, AI has become the main tech talking point, and it seems as if every big tech company has its hand in the pot. OpenAI has ChatGPT, Apple has Apple Intelligence, X has Grok, and so on. Do you think AI will continue to be massive or will the bubble burst?
55% Yes, AI will still be massive in 2025
7% No, the hype will die down
15% Yes, but some companies will back out of the AI craze
21% I'm tired of hearing of AI
833 Voters