Jing Hu

Independent analyst. Writer of 2nd Order Thinkers.

what this is — the short of it

I read the AI reports everyone shares and hardly anyone checks.

I read primary sources, do the maths, and when the numbers don't add up I say so. Helps being independent. You can find the work at 2nd Order Thinkers on Substack and on YouTube.

Read by CEOs, VPs, and engineers across tech, finance, law, and consulting. Quoted in Forbes on entry-level jobs, reasoning models, and the human costs of AI transformation.

your analyst — briefly

Eight years in chemistry research. A handful of papers, and a PhD I left to build things instead.

Then ten years in tech. Cybersecurity at Transport for London. A turn in blockchain. Running operational technology at Just Eat Takeaway. And in between I founded an AIGC voice company, before anyone was talking about generative AI.

In late '24 I went independent to write full-time. London based.

recent writing — latest from the newsletter

on video — same brain, different medium

I run Second Order Thinkers on YouTube. It's where I present the analysis on camera. Watch it or listen to it in the background. Plenty of people do both.

working together — outside of a newsletter

I work with a small number of clients each year. Three things I do:

Speaking. Events and offsites for teams and leaders who need a clear-eyed read on where AI is actually going, and where the coverage is getting it over the top. Available for the right event.

Commissioned research. The same analysis I do publicly, pointed at a specific question you need answered privately. Published under your name or kept as an internal memo.

Advisory. Ongoing relationships with a small number of funds, operators, and leadership teams who want a second brain on AI bets — what to buy, what to build, what to ignore. Usually a monthly retainer with a call cadence and ad-hoc memos.

Get in touch: jing@ardonio.com.

the fine print — because it matters

  • No sponsored posts, native ads, or placed mentions. On either platform.
  • I invest in public markets. If I hold a position in something I write about, I say so at the top. The position is usually too small to embarrass anyone but me, but the rule holds.
  • When I'm wrong, I correct it in the post with a date; the writing is mine, the mistakes too.

elsewhere — if you must

Newsletter
2nd Order Thinkers
YouTube
Second Order Thinkers
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/jing--hu
Email
jing@ardonio.com