HackerNoon Polls

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.

What’s Your Biggest Struggle As a Writer in 2025?

Hey fellow technical writers, what's the hardest part of writing right now? Whether you're writing about code, startups, AI, or something else entirely… what's the thing you keep getting stuck on?

Poll Results

Finding your niche
32%
Getting noticed
32%
Staying consistent
23%
Using AI effectively
14%
What’s more likely to disrupt Hollywood first?

AI has been a major force in seemingly every career field. Now, it seems to have set its eyes somewhere else: Hollywood.

209 Voters

Poll Results

AI-generated scripts
31%
Deepfake actors
30%
Fully AI-produced films
23%
None - Unions will block it
16%
What's the most eye-catching new thing about the iPhone 17 Pro?

iPhone 17 Pro just dropped and it’s wild. The screen hits 3000 nits — you can actually use it outside. Every rear camera is 48MP now, even the zoom one, so 8x optical shots look insane. Front camera? 18MP with AI that follows your face like it’s in love with you. Battery lasts 33 hours of video. No more “low battery” panic at 9 PM. A19 Pro chip stays cool under pressure, and it starts at 256GB. Oh, and it comes in Cosmic Orange — yeah, it’s loud on purpose.

141 Voters

Poll Results

Upgraded 18MP front camera with AI auto-framing
33%
Other (Comment section)
20%
All-aluminum design in new colors like Cosmic Orange
19%
ProRes RAW video & 40x digital zoom
16%
12GB RAM and faster sustained performance
13%
Is it too late for Apple to get AI right?

While OpenAI is already integrating apps directly into the ChatGPT interface and redefining how users interact with AI, Apple's recent moves suggests the company is finally taking the tech seriously. The company’s strength still lies in its vast ecosystem and ability to blend hardware, software, and privacy into one experience. But with competitors constantly breaking new ground, has Apple missed its window — or is its timing just right?

233 Voters

Poll Results

No — Apple’s ecosystem gives it everything it needs to catch up.
30%
Maybe — it depends on how well Apple integrates AI into its products.
25%
I don’t care — I just want my iPhone to work better.
23%
Yes. The other players are too far ahead.
21%
The Smart Home AI Showdown. Which AI-powered smart home system would you prefer?

The battle for the AI-powered smart home has intensified with recent announcements from Google and Amazon. Both companies are rolling out next-generation, conversational AI assistants to create a more intelligent and proactive home environment. Which of these new smart home ecosystems are you more excited about?

126 Voters

Poll Results

Google Gemini for Home
56%
Amazon Alexa+
44%
Which battle will define the next decade of tech?

AI is now the axis of the tech industry. The question is: which force will shape its future the most?

160 Voters

Poll Results

Who controls compute power (Nvidia, chipmakers, hyperscale data centers)
31%
Who controls trust & culture (open-source vs. closed AI, safety, ethics)
28%
Who controls consumer entry points (AI in phones, chat apps, social platforms)
26%
Who controls rules of the game (EU DMA, US regulation, global policy)
16%
Will Silicon Valley’s Big Bet on RL Environments Pay Off?

Silicon Valley is increasingly investing in RL environments —simulated “training grounds” where AI agents can perform multi-step tasks rather than just learning from static datasets. These environments allow agents to use tools, interact with software, and adapt to unexpected behaviors. But there are trade-offs: cost, complexity, risk of “reward hacking,” and questions about whether scaling will be feasible.

161 Voters

Poll Results

No — this is another overhyped Valley experiment destined to fizzle.
27%
Absolutely
26%
Partially — they’ll drive breakthroughs in robotics and gaming, but not everywhere.
25%
Not yet — the tech is promising but too immature to deliver at scale.
22%
What’s the most common thing you do with a VPN?

VPNs aren’t just about privacy—they’ve become everyday tools for streaming, security, and bypassing restrictions. From unlocking shows abroad to keeping hackers away, people use them in different ways. We’re curious: what’s YOUR most common VPN habit?

143 Voters

Poll Results

Download safely
34%
Cyber safety/ Just keep it on for peace of mind
28%
Stream shows from other countries
23%
Bypass school/work restrictions
15%
If you could only use one programming language for the rest of your life, which would it be?

If, for some reason, you could only use one programming language for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

441 Voters

Poll Results

Python
37%
Javascript
25%
Other (Let us know in the comments below!)
16%
Go
11%
C++
10%
When an AI System Makes a Harmful Error, Who Should Be Held MOST Accountable?

When AI systems cause harm, determining who is responsible is a complex legal and ethical challenge. A recent survey found a majority of the public believes AI companies should be held primarily accountable for potential harms, more so than users or the government.

258 Voters

Poll Results

The company that developed and sold the AI
33%
The organization or individual who used the AI
21%
Accountability is impossible to assign to a single group
16%
The government for failing to implement proper laws
11%
The specific engineers who wrote the code
10%
Other - Comment Below Your Thoughts!
9%