GeekWire

In 2025, the tech landscape saw a striking contrast between the AI boom and extensive layoffs. Bill Gates described AI as 'intelligence becoming free', challenging corporations and workers alike. Big investments from Microsoft clashed with corporate cost-cutting efforts, while the University of Washington overhauled its computer science curriculum. Seattle's tech scene faces migration challenges and ethical protests, even as OpenAI acquired Statsig for $1.1 billion. Ambika Singh's touching speech at the GeekWire Awards highlighted the importance of community.

Chet Kittleson, co-founder and CEO of Tin Can, is a visionary tech entrepreneur creating Wi-Fi enabled landline phones for kids, eschewing screens and AI. He shares the inspiration behind his startup from a school pickup moment, and details his family’s unique approach to technology. Chet discusses the benefits of voice calls for emotional bonding, the success of a recent $12M seed round, and plans for scaling his product. With an emphasis on fostering connections, he reveals how limiting screens transformed his family road trips.

Join innovators Jeff Thornburg, CEO of Portal Space Systems, who’s developing a solar-powered spacecraft for rapid space logistics, and Anindya Roy, co-founder of Lila Biologics, who’s using AI to design novel cancer-fighting proteins. Jay Graber of Bluesky discusses building a decentralized social network for user empowerment, while Kiana Ehsani at Vercept aims to replace traditional input methods with efficient AI agents. Lastly, Brian Pinkard from Aquagga shares his tech for destroying harmful PFAS chemicals in wastewater, pushing for a cleaner future.

Trevor Noah, the witty former host of The Daily Show and current Microsoft Chief Questions Officer, dives into the fascinating world of AI in this conversation. He highlights the joy of teaching 5th graders, advocating for early AI literacy to spark creativity. Noah emphasizes the shared learning journey for both kids and adults in this new tech landscape. He also tackles the future of comedy, pondering what elements are likely to survive AI. With a focus on maintaining curiosity, he encourages both students and teachers to explore AI with playful enthusiasm.

Colleen Aubrey, Senior Vice President of Applied AI Solutions at Amazon Web Services, discusses Amazon's innovative ventures. She reveals how AI is becoming central to their applications, positioning AI agents as teammates that enhance productivity. Colleen shares insights on experimenting with agentic tools and the cultural shifts within Amazon to embrace rapid prototyping. She also highlights the enhanced capabilities of Amazon Connect, focusing on improving customer interactions through AI. The conversation dives into the ROI of deploying AI and the value of clear observability in agent behavior.

In this engaging discussion, Sam Ransbotham, a Boston College professor and host of the Me, Myself and AI podcast, delves into the complexities of AI. He highlights the new digital divide in education and compares AI's societal value to Wikipedia's impact. Sam explores how AI can both enhance productivity and threaten essential human interactions while stressing its role in democratizing startups. With a blend of optimism and caution, he emphasizes the importance of understanding AI's true potential and the nuances of its application.

Jeff Bezos is diving back into startup waters with Project Prometheus, a $6.2 billion AI venture, stirring excitement about his role and its implications. Meanwhile, Amazon is testing package-return kiosks at Goodwill stores, reminiscent of its quirky early experiments. Plus, a lighthearted debate unfolds on whether to retrofit an aging 2007 Toyota Camry with modern tech or invest in a new vehicle altogether. The hosts weave in nostalgia and tech speculations while hinting at their next collaboration with MIT Sloan Management Review.

David Shim, a serial entrepreneur and CEO/co-founder of Read AI, shares his insights on the bustling AI landscape. He discusses how the AI boom is propelled by real revenues rather than subsidies, differentiating it from the dot-com era. Shim elaborates on Read AI's assistant, Ada, which streamlines workplace productivity, but he notes the current limitations of AI, such as inaccuracies. He highlights the importance of transparency in AI operations and the potential of cross-platform integrations to empower startups against larger competitors.

Seattle's consumer hardware scene is facing harsh realities, as companies like Glowforge and Rad Power Bikes grapple with struggles. The conversation dives into the challenges of hardware versus software, highlighting issues like long development cycles and supply chains. They trace a history of local hardware failures, examining the impact of the pandemic on consumer behavior and funding. The hosts discuss risks tied to founder departures and the implications of overscaling, ultimately stressing that while hardware is tough, the experiments remain worthwhile.

Jamie Siminoff, founder of Ring and now a VP at Amazon, shares his incredible journey from Shark Tank rejection to a billion-dollar acquisition. He talks about the lessons learned from failure and the importance of a scrappy, innovative mindset. Jamie discusses the pivotal role of his wife in pivoting Ring's mission towards home security, and how AI is revolutionizing product development. He also touches on the human aspects of leadership and community revitalization in LaBelle, Missouri, revealing his commitment to customer data privacy and trust.