GeekWire

A post-summit recap about the economics of AI, from token budgets shaping hiring to startups relying on subsidized credits. Stories of runaway spending, costly shutdowns, and why some metrics look healthy but hide losses. Conversations about agents, vibe coding and changing developer roles. Practical prep tips using Claude, Gemini and inbox automation.

Amazon may be building an AI-first smartphone led by a veteran device designer. Microsoft reorganized its Copilot team and refocused consumer AI strategy. A reporter tested Claude CoWork on LinkedIn and hit automated-activity warnings. Local transit gets tap-to-pay and a new cross-lake light rail opens. Plus a look back at Amazon’s Treasure Truck and same-day delivery experiments.

Brice Budke, president running the commercial and operational side of Shep and Packrat. Zeek Earle, executive creative director known for handmade miniatures and award-winning creative work. They talk about AI-driven photorealistic storyboarding, AI interpolation in stop-motion shoots, how AI changes production workflows and business expectations, and the psychology of having endless creative tools.

Vijaye Raji, CTO of Applications at OpenAI and former Statsig CEO, leads OpenAI's Bellevue office and product work. He talks about why Bellevue and the Pacific Northwest attract AI talent. He compares building products at OpenAI to past big-tech roles. He describes scaling offices, hiring strategies, and growth around Codex, ChatGPT, infrastructure, and partnerships.

A big tech acquisition in Seattle sparks questions about early exits and whether small AI startups can compete with the giants. A provocative paper imagines a 2028 white-collar job shock driven by AI and points to early signs in the gig economy. Investigative reporting uncovers surprising ties between a major company and Jeffrey Epstein. Plus a nostalgic look back at the celebrity who helped unveil the original Xbox.

Josh Lowitz, Amazon specialist who tracks retail trends, and Michael Levin, consumer research expert, join to test Amazon Now’s 30-minute delivery live. They discuss perishables, why Amazon closed physical grocery formats, the Orland Park superstore mystery, and how Amazon is aiming to be the ultimate convenience store. Short, fast, and full of retail strategy talk.

Pete Hanning, Executive Director of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, talks neighborhood economic development and how Fremont keeps its quirky culture while hosting serious tech firms. He discusses high return-to-office rates, a local tech corridor, and how small businesses benefit from office traffic. Short, lively tales of Seahawks ties and community resilience round out the conversation.

Charles Fitzgerald, a Seattle tech veteran and angel investor, and Justin Bibb, Cleveland’s mayor focused on downtown revival and advanced manufacturing, discuss city reinvention. They explore lessons from Cleveland’s past, preparing for AI-driven disruption, downtown office conversions, and the role of anchors like universities and health systems. A Seattle-to-Cleveland exchange is floated to share practical strategies.

Oren Etzioni, computer scientist and AI entrepreneur who founded the AI2 Incubator and led the Allen Institute for AI, discusses modern AI agents and how they differ from past systems. He explores startup advantages, enterprise agent use cases, the threat of deepfakes and efforts to fight them, and what effective AI leadership looks like.

A driving tour that stops at Starbucks to test a TikTok‑inspired banana bread latte and the company’s new AI ordering companion. A campus visit to Microsoft that digs into a heavy AI infrastructure bet and the stock tumble tied to OpenAI exposure. A trip to an Amazon Fresh clearance sale as the company shutters its U.S. Fresh and Go stores and rethinks physical retail.