This week on the GeekWire Podcast: Why is Amazon shedding 14,000 individuals in the midst of an AI increase — and is it actually a increase in any respect? We dig into the contradiction on the coronary heart of Seattle’s tech scene, discussing Amazon CEO Andy Jassy’s “world’s largest startup” rationale and what it says in regards to the firm’s tradition and technique. And we debate whether or not AI progress represents true transformation or the acquainted indicators of a tech bubble within the making.
Then we look at the imaginative and prescient of Cascadia high-speed rail — the formidable plan to attach Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C., by bullet prepare. Is it the regional infrastructure wanted to energy the Pacific Northwest’s subsequent chapter, or an costly dream searching for a function?
With GeekWire co-founders John Prepare dinner and Todd Bishop
Associated headlines from the week
Amazon layoffs
- Amazon confirms 14,000 job cuts, says push for ‘effectivity positive factors’ will proceed into 2026
- A story of two Seattles within the age of AI: Harsh realities and new hope for the tech group
- Submitting: Amazon cuts greater than 2,300 jobs in Washington state as a part of broader layoffs
- Amazon layoffs hit software program engineers hardest in Washington
- Amazon layoffs response: ‘Thought I used to be a high performer however guess I’m expendable’
- Amazon CEO says huge company layoffs have been about agility — not AI or cost-cutting
Amazon earnings
- Amazon inventory soars 11% after topping Q3 estimates with $180B in income, $21B in income
- Amazon’s Anthropic funding boosts its quarterly income by $9.5B
- ‘Massive Lovely’ tax profit: Amazon and different tech giants reap the rewards of latest legislation, for now
Microsoft Azure, earnings and OpenAI
- Microsoft’s Azure studies cloud outage, disrupting world clients together with Alaska Airways
- Microsoft beats expectations, studies practically $35B in Q1 capital spending amid Azure outage
- Microsoft will get 27% stake in OpenAI, and a $250B Azure dedication
Seattle-Portland-Vancouver
- Slowly however certainly, high-speed rail backers consider Cascadia mega-project will turn out to be a actuality
- Cascadia’s AI paradox: A world-leading alternative threatened by rising prices and a expertise crunch
- The ‘huge barrier’ that threatens financial progress within the Pacific Northwest
- Beta’s distinctive electrical airplane flies into Seattle to wow state officers and aviation consultants
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