Microsoft's big AI hires, U.S. vs. Apple, and graffiti-fighting drones

This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we discuss Amazon's efforts to compete with Trader Joe's, and the related tactics revealed in "The Everything War," the new book by Dana Mattioli of the Wall Street Journal. We also revisit last week's episode with Mattioli and share some of the reactions to the discussion. Plus, the FTC probes Amazon's internal use of Signal's disappearing messages feature, a newly disclosed email shows how Microsoft scrambled to catch up in artificial intelligence, and a new report says that Bill Gates is still a highly influential figure inside Microsoft, especially when it comes to the company's AI strategy. Finally, we go inside the Seattle courtroom where a prominent figure from the cryptocurrency world, Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, received a controversial prison sentence this week. Other stories discussed on the show: Amazon stock rises as Q1 earnings top estimates with $143.3B in revenue; AWS sales up 17% DoorDash rips Seattle over minimum wage law; reports record quarterly revenue of $2.5B Prudential to shut down Assurance, the insurance tech startup it acquired for $2.35B in 2019 KING5: Binance founder Changpeng Zhao sentenced to 4 months for allowing money laundering Business Insider: Bill Gates is still pulling strings at Microsoft, overseeing AI ideas Internet Archive: Full text: An epic Bill Gates rant See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A conversation with Dana Mattioli, Wall Street Journal reporter and author of the new book, "The Everything War: Amazon’s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power." With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show, we get a sneak preview of the GeekWire Awards, coming up at the Showbox SoDo in Seattle on Thursday, May 9. We look back at the past winners of the Next Tech Titan title in the awards, and consider the event's track record in predicting major companies to emerge from Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. We also contemplate the evolution of the "Workplace of the Year" category through the rise of remote and hybrid work. And finally, we consider the impact of migration on another part of state: Spokane, Wash., and the Inland Northwest. See more GeekWire Awards coverage, and learn more about the event, which is presented by Astound Business Solutions. With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show, we sit down with Werner Vogels, the Amazon chief technology officer, at Amazon in Seattle. We talked about the evolution of artificial intelligence, the promise of AI in healthcare and the environment, his broader tech predictions for the year, and one of his most iconic traditions at the company's annual cloud conference. Read more on GeekWire: Amazon CTO Werner Vogels on the rapid progress of AI, and its impact on society Werner Vogels - All Things Distributed Archive of Now Go Build episodes AWS re:Invent 2023 - Keynote with Dr. Werner Vogels Tech Predictions for 2024 and beyond @Werner on X. With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop; Edited by Curt Milton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show: Computer scientist Juan Lavista Ferres is corporate vice president and chief data scientist at Microsoft, and the lab director of Microsoft's AI for Good research lab, leading a team of data scientists and researchers in AI, machine learning and statistical modeling, focusing on global challenges like health, climate change, and digital literacy. He's one of the editors and authors of the new book AI for Good, Applications, in Sustainability, Humanitarian Action and Health, featuring case studies from Microsoft, to be published by Wiley on April 9.  With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop. Edited by Curt Milton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the GeekWire Podcast: Reporter Kurt Schlosser takes us inside a Tesla Cybertruck, explains what it was like to drive one, and tells us how people reacted to the futuristic vehicle as it debuted on the streets of Seattle. Also on the show, Kurt shares details from his recent story about Nala, the Seattle Police Department's electronics-detecting police dog, and explains how these law-enforcement K9s are trained to find all sorts of devices. And in our final segment, we hear a clip from comedian Pete Ballmer, the son of Steve Ballmer, about growing up as one of the kids of the former Microsoft CEO. With GeekWire's Todd Bishop and Kurt Schlosser. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show, we peel back the layers of Microsoft's hiring of AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman and colleagues from Inflection AI, considering how it plays into the trend of the Redmond company striking deals that look a lot like acquisitions, without actually being acquisitions. Then, we delve into the U.S. Justice Department’s landmark antitrust lawsuit against Apple, and consider the parallels to the DOJ's prior case against Microsoft. And finally, we ponder Washington state's plan to fight graffiti with drones. Additional Links S. "Soma" Somasegar: Analysis: Microsoft’s big hires foreshadow bold new move into consumer AI Newcomer: Microsoft’s Non-Acquisition Acquisition (second item) The Information: Microsoft Agreed to Pay Inflection $650 Million While Hiring Its Staff Bill Barr in the Wall Street Journal: Siri, Does Apple Violate Antitrust Law? DOJ: Justice Department Sues Apple for Monopolizing Smartphone Markets The Verge: DOJ’s sweeping Apple lawsuit draws expert praise   With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the GeekWire Podcast: The rise, fall, and revival of Zulily. We revisit one the most prominent ecommerce brands to come out of Seattle, explain its decline, and consider a plan by Beyond Inc., led by investor and entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis, to acquire its brand assets and relaunch the site. With GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper and co-founder Todd Bishop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence is a powerful technology that promises to reshape the future, but it also poses many risks. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of regulation and oversight of the data used to train AI models. A new nonprofit, the Seattle-based Transparency Coalition (transparencycoalition.ai) aims to address this issue. The co-founders of the group, veteran startup founders and technology leaders Rob Eleveld and Jai Jaisimha, join us on this episode of the GeekWire Podcast to discuss their reasons for starting the organization, and their goals to help shape emerging legislation and public policy in this area.  With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop; Audio editing by Curt Milton.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report points to a crisis of trust in innovation, and the risk that rapid technological change — especially in the field of artificial intelligence — will fuel increased populism and polarization across societies. Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman, discussed these and other findings from the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer during visits last week with the global communications firm's clients in tech-heavy Seattle and San Francisco. GeekWire sat down with Edelman during his visit to the firm's downtown Seattle office for this episode of the GeekWire Podcast. He discusses the shift in trust from top-down authority figures to local relationships, with employees and consumers expecting companies to take a stand on important issues.  Edelman suggests that businesses and technology leaders need to focus on implementation, adaptation, and acceptance of innovation, and to be transparent and clear in their communication with the public. He calls for collaboration between businesses, government, NGOs, and media to ensure that innovation is well-managed and benefits society as a whole. Related links Access the full 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer report. Edelman: 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer Reveals Innovation has Become a New Risk Factor for Trust Richard Edelman: Technology Industry Watch Out, Innovation at Risk Axios: Public trust in AI is sinking across the board  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.