# Karpathy shares how to make AI outputs like aircraft manuals

Digest AI · Research · published 2026-10-02T15:49:43Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/karpathy-shares-how-to-make-ai-outputs-like-aircraft-manuals

## Summary

Karpathy, a former OpenAI member now at Anthropic, posted on X about using language models to generate text in **ASD-STE100**, a controlled English standard for aircraft maintenance manuals. He found the format—with its strict rules and limited vocabulary—produces clearer, more structured output than unconstrained writing. The standard, maintained by European aerospace firms, restricts writing to about **900 approved words** and enforces rules like short sentences and active voice, though Karpathy sometimes relaxes the constraints to **80%** compliance.

Karpathy also suggested alternative formats for model outputs: diagrams, HTML pages, and custom explainer videos. He highlighted the potential of videos, referencing the style of **3Blue1Brown** math tutorials, and noted that narration could be generated via **ElevenLabs** or free local alternatives. His post emphasized shifting focus from manual output generation to oversight and higher-level tasks as AI handles more routine work.

## Key points

- Karpathy tested ASD-STE100, a strict English standard for technical manuals, to improve AI output clarity
- Open-source tool applies STE rules but lacks the full dictionary, per its GitHub README
- Karpathy recommends diagrams, HTML, and explainer videos as clearer AI output formats

## Why it matters

Structured AI outputs could reduce errors in technical fields like aerospace, where clarity and precision are critical. Karpathy’s methods—controlled language, visuals, and videos—offer practical ways to improve AI-generated content for industries beyond marketing.

## Sources

1. [OpenAI Founding Member: Make LLMs Write Like An Aircraft Manual via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern](https://searchenginejournal.com/karpathy-llm-aircraft-manual-writing/591813) (Search Engine Journal, 2026-10-02)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Karpathy shares how to make AI outputs like aircraft manuals", 2 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/karpathy-shares-how-to-make-ai-outputs-like-aircraft-manuals

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