Get caught up on the newest know-how and startup information from the previous week. Listed here are the most well-liked tales on GeekWire for the week of Aug. 17, 2025.
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Hottest tales on GeekWire
Excel + AI: Microsoft brings new ‘COPILOT’ operate immediately into spreadsheet cells
Microsoft is constructing generative AI immediately into the cells of Excel, trying to carry one of many defining apps of the PC revolution into a brand new era of computing. A brand new “COPILOT” operate for Microsoft’s traditional spreadsheet program lets customers generate, summarize, and analyze knowledge utilizing plain-language prompts inside a cell. For instance, a product supervisor with a column of uncooked buyer suggestions might kind =COPILOT(“What’s the sentiment of the remark in cell A2?”) to shortly label every comment as ‘Optimistic,’ ‘Unfavorable,’ or ‘Impartial,’ with out utilizing a chatbot or plugin. … Learn Extra
Tech Strikes: Key AWS chip engineer to depart; former longtime Microsoft leaders take new roles
— Rami Sinno, director of engineering at Amazon Net Companies’ Annapurna Labs — floor zero for the tech large’s silicon chip growth — is reportedly leaving the corporate. … Learn Extra
‘Sport of Thrones’ creator and different science fiction writers hint twists and turns at Seattle Worldcon
In case you have been to trace the milestones within the profession of George R.R. … Learn Extra
Google’s Pixel 10 launch sends T-Cellular’s satellite tv for pc telephone service into the information zone
T-Cellular subscribers who purchase one of many telephones in Google’s newly introduced Pixel 10 lineup will be capable of discover a brand new frontier in mass-market cell connectivity: satellite tv for pc entry to data-dependent apps, together with Google Maps. … Learn Extra
Seattle is a worldwide AI hub — however the place are the celebrity startups?
In one of many greatest technological waves ever, the Seattle startup and enterprise capital group is lacking out on the AI frenzy. … Learn Extra
Regardless of standing as a worldwide tech hub, Seattle passengers nonetheless can’t hail a driverless journey
Whereas taxi clients in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta can hail rides from driverless autos, passengers desirous to do the identical in Seattle — one of many globe’s main know-how hubs — are caught on the curb. … Learn Extra
Invoice Gates-backed AI competitors presents $1M to speed up Alzheimer’s analysis
A $1 million world competitors that goals to speed up Alzheimer’s illness analysis utilizing AI launched right now with help from Invoice Gates and others. … Learn Extra
TeamSense, a Seattle-area startup that helps monitor worker absences, raises additional cash
Seattle-area startup TeamSense, a software program platform utilized by employers for absence reporting and worker communications, is elevating contemporary funding. … Learn Extra
Protesters arrange short-term encampment at Microsoft to strain firm on Israel contracts
Protesters took over a part of Microsoft’s Redmond, Wash., campus for greater than an hour Tuesday — escalating their efforts to strain the corporate to cease offering know-how to the Israeli authorities and navy. … Learn Extra
20 arrested at Microsoft headquarters in newest protest over Israel tech contracts
Editor’s Observe: This submit has been modified to mirror an up to date rely of the variety of arrests. … Learn Extra
