GeekWire podcast with guest Geordie Rose, CEO of Sanctuary AI, discusses the future of labor and the rise of humanoid robots. They explore the design and development of Phoenix, a humanoid robot powered by advanced AI, and the concept of 'labor as a service'. They delve into the intersection of declining birth rates and the advancement of robots, as well as the use of robots in warehouses and the challenges of building intelligent systems.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testified this week in Google's antitrust case in Washington, D.C., supporting the U.S. Justice Department's contention that the search giant unfairly leverages its market power to stifle competition, a charge that Google vehemently disputes.  On this episode of the podcast, we reenact portions of Nadella's testimony, explain the positions staked out by Microsoft and Google in the case, and discuss the irony of Microsoft siding with the DOJ two decades after fighting its own antitrust battle against the agency.  Read additional excerpts in this GeekWire Post: What Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in court about Google, Apple, search, and the future of AI Plus, Generative AI and the "Ghost of Lesser Seattle." We revisit our attempt to channel the late, great Seattle newspaper columnist Emmett Watson with the help of ChatGPT, and assess the reaction. With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Related links and coverage: Testifying in Google trial, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella warns AI could extend search giant’s lead The Verge: Satya Nadella tells a court that Bing is worse than Google — and Apple could fix it Emmett Watson meets ChatGPT: What if the champion of ‘Lesser Seattle’ could see us now? Marketplace: There’s a corner of the internet where YouTubers read strangers’ obituaries. Why? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the GeekWire Podcast, we dive deep into the landmark lawsuit filed by the FTC against Amazon with insights from former Amazon seller Jason Boyce, co-author of "The Amazon Jungle," host of the Day 2 podcast, and CEO of Avenue7Media, an agency that works with online sellers. We discuss the implications of the lawsuit for Amazon, consumers, and sellers in the context of the changing dynamics of the online retail. Boyce, with his 17 years of experience as a seller and his current role working with third-party sellers, offers a unique perspective on Amazon's practices and the broader e-commerce landscape. We also touch upon Amazon's evolving relationship with sellers, the challenges of omni-channel retail, and the rise of new online marketplace competitors.  GeekWire coverage FTC and 17 states sue Amazon for maintaining alleged monopoly power that stifles competition FTC targets alleged secret Amazon pricing algorithm ‘Project Nessie’ in antitrust complaint FTC’s case against Amazon hinges on internal messages and secrets yet to be revealed Lawsuit: FTC et al vs. Amazon, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington New York Times: For Amazon’s Andy Jassy, a Cleanup Job Just Got a Lot Bigger Reuters: Amazon drops planned merchant fee as FTC lawsuit looms CNBC: FTC Chair Lina Khan: Amazon lawsuit is about protecting free and fair competitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Johnson, Lumen Technologies CEO and former U.S. president of Microsoft, discusses the Seattle tech hub as a test bed for Lumen's offerings. She explains the company's efforts to reinvent itself and the importance of digitizing and cloudifying telco services. Johnson also shares insights on Microsoft's transformation under Satya Nadella, creating benchmarks for success, and Lumen's adoption of AI and Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot. She highlights the power of vulnerability, leadership, and curiosity, emphasizing the involvement of people and gratitude.

Mary Jo Foley, Longtime Microsoft watcher, joins the GeekWire Podcast to discuss the latest Windows and AI features. They also talk about the surprise resignation of Panos Panay, the chief product officer at Microsoft, and his potential move to Amazon. The discussion covers Microsoft's new branding strategy, the release date and competitiveness of Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot, the cost implications for business customers, and the departure of Panoz Pene and the future of the Surface line. They also reflect on the changing and surprising nature of Microsoft.

Chris Pirillo is an entrepreneur, creator, event organizer, and online community leader who has been a guide to the world of tech for everyday users since the early days of the web. On this episode of the GeekWire Podcast, we catch up with Chris about his latest project, CreatorTech.net, an email newsletter and monthly meetup focused on the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence. The next CreatorTech meetup is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 25, at the Microsoft Reactor in Redmond. We also discuss some of the latest AI and tech tools that Chris has been finding useful, and hear his take on corporate return-to-office mandates — spoiler alert, he's not a fan! Chris Pirillo on the new iPhone 15, and the edited take discussed on the show. The latest CreatorTech email with a list of 25 AI tools to check out. Our last GeekWire Podcast/Radio conversation with Chris in June 2013. With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop. Edited by Curt Milton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest on this special episode is journalist and biographer Walter Isaacson, whose new book about Elon Musk, the SpaceX and Tesla founder and X (Twitter) owner, was published this week. Isaacson addresses the question of whether Musk is "calculated or crazed," as one anecdote in the book puts it; discusses Musk's role in some of the world's most vital infrastructure, including SpaceX's Starlink satellites; compares Musk's approach and style to Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos; addresses Musk's outlook on artificial intelligence and space travel; and outlines the key issues that could determine Musk's legacy.  With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop. Edited and produced by Curt Milton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tye Brady, chief technologist for Amazon Robotics, joins us on this episode of the GeekWire Podcast to talk about the company's latest warehouse robots, explaining how they represent the emergence of the larger vision that prompted him to join Amazon more than eight years ago. Our conversation at Amazon HQ in Seattle followed a trip by GeekWire's Todd Bishop to Austin and San Marcos, Texas, to see many of Amazon's newest autonomous robots first-hand. Related coverage: New robots are making Amazon’s warehouses more efficient — can they also make them safer? Video: Amazon's Robots, explained Amazon’s Sparrow is leaving the nest: Trailblazing warehouse robot is ready for a wider rollout Video: Up close with Amazon's Sparrow Robot  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy made it clear in a recent internal meeting that he wants employees to "disagree and commit" to the company's policy of working three days in the office, and find somewhere else to work if it doesn't work for them. We discuss the news in our first segment this week, and ponder why Amazon seems to be getting a bigger backlash than other big companies implementing similar policies. In our second segment, we consider new changes in the MLB automated ball/strike system for Triple-A games, as an update to Seattle Mariners CEO John Stanton's comments in a recent interview with our GeekWire colleague Taylor Soper. And finally, we give a sneak preview of the upcoming GeekWire Summit, scheduled for Oct. 19 at the iconic Seattle movie theater formerly known as the Cinerama.  With GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop. Edited and produced by Curt Milton. Theme music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s GeekWire Podcast, we're featuring an episode of Shift AI, a podcast hosted by Boaz Ashkenazy, CEO of AI solutions provider Simply Augmented, with guest Matt McIlwain of Seattle-based venture capital firm Madrona Venture Group.  A thriving tech hub requires access to ideas, people, and experiments that produce collective lessons sooner and with greater fidelity than anywhere else. This is what made the Seattle area the cloud capital of the world. It also positions the region as one of the world’s top centers of excellence for artificial intelligence. That’s one of the insights from Matt McIlwain, managing director at Madrona Venture Group, on this episode of Shift AI, a show that explores what it takes to thrive and adapt to the changing workplace in the digital age of remote work and AI. We discuss Matt’s background and experience building companies and advising founders, and get his take on the future of AI. Subscribe to ShiftAI and hear more episodes at ShiftAIPodcast.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.