Not only was Amazon's effort to back pro-business candidates for the Seattle City Council not effective, but its $1.45 million in contributions seems to have backfired on the company, energizing its opponents and leading to a new City Council that's collectively more to the left of the political spectrum than before.

It's the latest in a series of political and policy missteps and missed opportunities for the company, from HQ2 to JEDI. 

Also this week: Bill Gates and Elizabeth Warren are ready to talk about taxes; a Microsoft study shows the potential benefits of a shorter work week for productivity; a winning Seattle Sounders rap from a GeekWire reader; and Cortana is ready to "play" your email for you, but are you ready for her to do that?

Not only was Amazon's effort to back pro-business candidates for the Seattle City Council not effective, but its $1.45 million in contributions <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/amazon-bid-business-friendly-seattle-council-withers-adversary-pulls-ahead-surprise-comeback/">seems to have backfired on the company,</a> energizing its opponents and leading to a new City Council that's collectively more to the left of the political spectrum than before.
It's the latest in a series of political and policy missteps and missed opportunities for the company, from <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/amazon-pulls-new-york-hq2-amid-growing-backlash/">HQ2</a> to <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/jedi-explaining-10b-military-cloud-contract-microsoft-just-won-amazon/">JEDI</a>.&nbsp;
Also this week: Bill Gates and Elizabeth Warren are<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/bill-gates-willing-talk-elizabeth-warren-offers-explain-wealth-tax/"> ready to talk about taxes</a>; a Microsoft study shows the <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/microsoft-experimented-4-day-work-week-japan-saw-big-jump-productivity/">potential benefits of a shorter work week for productivity</a>; a <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/geekiestsoundersfan-wins-mls-cup-pitchside-seats-nerdy-8-bit-rap/">winning Seattle Sounders rap from a GeekWire reader</a>; and Cortana is <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/microsofts-cortana-can-now-read-emails-loud-run-daily-schedule/">ready to "play" your email for you</a>, but are you ready for her to do that?

GeekWire brings you the week's latest technology news, trends and insights, covering the world of technology from our home base in Seattle. Our regular news podcast features commentary and analysis from our editors and reporters, plus interviews with special guests.

GeekWire reporters John Cook, Todd Bishop and guests talk about the latest tech news and trends.

GeekWire

Gates and Warren; Amazon's Political Problems; Sounders Rap

This week: Bill Gates published a new essay warning that the AI industry is crossing the safety lines it set for itself, and that nobody is preparing for what's coming. At 70 years old, he also uses AI more than most people half his age, and he finds it enthralling, as you'll hear in highlights from our interview with Gates about the memo. Along the way this week, we dig into his three proposals: new institutions for managing the transition, a category of jobs reserved for humans, and a tax on the use and purchase of AI and robots.

With Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.

Related headlines and links
The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical. — Bill Gates, Gates Notes
'I am very concerned': Bill Gates says the world needs a plan to deal with AI, and he has three ideas to start
Bill Gates says there's 'no upper limit' on AI, citing opportunity and risk
Etzioni on AI: Bill Gates has the right diagnosis but the wrong prescription
Dwarkesh Podcast: Ryan Greenblatt — What happens once AI can automate AI research?
New York Times: Bill Gates is warning that A.I. is more dangerous than Big Tech will admit
Wall Street Journal: Three takeaways from Bill Gates's 5,784-word warning on AI: 'There is no plan'
MIT Technology Review: Bill Gates says we've passed AI's danger thresholds. Now what?
Axios: Gates confronts the Epstein questions hanging over his AI push
Transcript: Here's what Bill Gates told lawmakers in his recent Epstein testimony

This week: Bill Gates published a new essay warning that the AI industry is crossing the safety lines it set for itself, and that nobody is preparing for what's coming. At 70 years old, he also uses AI more than most people half his age, and he finds it enthralling, as you'll hear in highlights from our interview with Gates about the memo. Along the way this week, we dig into his three proposals: new institutions for managing the transition, a category of jobs reserved for humans, and a tax on the use and purchase of AI and robots.
With Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.
Related headlines and links
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gatesnotes.com/work/make-ai-work-for-everyone/reader/a-turbulent-ai-era-and-critical-choices-to-make">The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical.</a> &mdash; Bill Gates, Gates Notes</li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/i-am-very-concerned-bill-gates-says-the-world-needs-a-plan-to-deal-with-ai-and-he-has-three-ideas-to-start/">'I am very concerned': Bill Gates says the world needs a plan to deal with AI, and he has three ideas to start</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/bill-gates-says-theres-no-upper-limit-on-ai-citing-opportunity-and-risk/">Bill Gates says there's 'no upper limit' on AI, citing opportunity and risk</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/etzioni-on-ai-bill-gates-has-the-right-diagnosis-but-the-wrong-prescription/">Etzioni on AI: Bill Gates has the right diagnosis but the wrong prescription</a></li>
<li>Dwarkesh Podcast: <a href="https://www.dwarkesh.com/p/ryan-greenblatt">Ryan Greenblatt &mdash; What happens once AI can automate AI research?</a></li>
<li dir="ltr">New York Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/26/technology/bill-gates-ai-risks.html">Bill Gates is warning that A.I. is more dangerous than Big Tech will admit</a></li>
<li dir="ltr">Wall Street Journal: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/three-takeaways-from-bill-gatess-5-784-word-warning-on-ai-there-is-no-plan-aa0c3441">Three takeaways from Bill Gates's 5,784-word warning on AI: 'There is no plan'</a></li>
<li dir="ltr">MIT Technology Review: <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/08/26/1142946/bill-gates-ai-danger-threshold/">Bill Gates says we've passed AI's danger thresholds. Now what?</a></li>
<li dir="ltr">Axios: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/26/gates-confronts-the-epstein-questions-hanging-over-his-ai-push">Gates confronts the Epstein questions hanging over his AI push</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/transcript-heres-what-bill-gates-told-lawmakers-in-his-recent-epstein-testimony/">Transcript: Here's what Bill Gates told lawmakers in his recent Epstein testimony</a></li>
</ul>

Bill Gates in his own words: How he's using AI, and why he's worried about the future

This week: Amazon's Prime Air drones are finally going national, nearly 13 years after Jeff Bezos unveiled the idea on 60 Minutes. GeekWire's John Cook goes inside Anduril's unmarked Bellevue office as the defense company builds toward 1,000 Seattle-area engineers. Plus: a reporter hides an AirTag in a rare book and tracks it to a secret Amazon book-scanning facility in Las Vegas.

With John Cook and Todd Bishop; edited by Curt Milton.

Related stories and links

Mentioned at the top
Want to know what Jeff Bezos brings to Liverpool FC? Study Amazon's Leadership Principles

Amazon drone delivery
Amazon drone delivery set to expand nationally, reaching nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns this year
Amazon's big surprise: Working on autonomous flying delivery drones — GeekWire, December 2013
Jeff Bezos unveils the Prime Air prototype on 60 Minutes — YouTube
Amazon Prime Air drone delivery expansion — Amazon
Andy Jassy's 2025 letter to shareholders — Amazon
Walmart, Wing expand drone delivery coverage — Supply Chain Dive

The AirTag and the book-scanning facility
How an AirTag planted by a reporter led to a secret Amazon site where old books are cut apart and scanned
We tracked a shipment of rare books. It ended at an Amazon AI training facility — 404 Media
AI companies are buying tons of old books because they're free of AI slop — 404 Media
Trash Transparency Project — Basel Action Network
America's e-waste: a GPS tracker tells all — PBS NewsHour
Anthropic agrees to pay $1.5B to settle lawsuit with book authors — Associated Press

Anduril in the Seattle region
Inside Anduril's AI warfighting buildup: Defense giant sees a path to 1,000 Seattle-area engineers
Anduril exits Seattle shipyard following canceled Navy program and omission from new warship list
Defense tech giant Anduril eyes new funding at $100B valuation as Seattle expansion draws protests — GeekWire, July 2026
AI weapons under scrutiny as activists plan weekend protest at Anduril's Seattle office — GeekWire, July 2026
Anduril lands $5B as defense giant builds autonomous warship operation in Seattle — GeekWire, May 2026
Defense giant Anduril is quietly building autonomous warships on Seattle's historic ship canal — GeekWire, April 2026
Military tech giant Anduril lands in Bellevue, doubling footprint in Seattle region — GeekWire, July 2025

This week: Amazon's Prime Air drones are finally going national, nearly 13 years after Jeff Bezos unveiled the idea on 60 Minutes. GeekWire's John Cook goes inside Anduril's unmarked Bellevue office as the defense company builds toward 1,000 Seattle-area engineers. Plus: a reporter hides an AirTag in a rare book and tracks it to a secret Amazon book-scanning facility in Las Vegas.
With John Cook and Todd Bishop; edited by Curt Milton.
Related stories and links
Mentioned at the top
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/want-to-know-what-jeff-bezos-brings-to-liverpool-fc-study-amazons-leadership-principles/">Want to know what Jeff Bezos brings to Liverpool FC? Study Amazon's Leadership Principles</a></li>
</ul>
Amazon drone delivery
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/amazon-finally-set-to-deliver-on-its-13-year-old-drone-promise-reaching-nearly-500-u-s-cities-and-towns/">Amazon drone delivery set to expand nationally, reaching nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns this year</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2013/amazons-big-surprise-working-autonomous-flying-delivery-drones/">Amazon's big surprise: Working on autonomous flying delivery drones</a> &mdash; GeekWire, December 2013</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbq6gQVLhWE">Jeff Bezos unveils the Prime Air prototype on 60 Minutes</a> &mdash; YouTube</li>
<li><a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-prime-air-drone-delivery-expansion">Amazon Prime Air drone delivery expansion</a> &mdash; Amazon</li>
<li><a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/company-news/amazon-ceo-andy-jassy-2025-letter-to-shareholders">Andy Jassy's 2025 letter to shareholders</a> &mdash; Amazon</li>
<li><a href="https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/walmart-wing-drone-delivery-coverage-expansion/809326/">Walmart, Wing expand drone delivery coverage</a> &mdash; Supply Chain Dive</li>
</ul>
The AirTag and the book-scanning facility
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/how-an-airtag-planted-by-a-reporter-led-to-a-secret-amazon-site-where-old-books-are-cut-apart-and-scanned/">How an AirTag planted by a reporter led to a secret Amazon site where old books are cut apart and scanned</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.404media.co/we-tracked-a-shipment-of-rare-books-it-ended-at-an-amazon-ai-training-facility/">We tracked a shipment of rare books. It ended at an Amazon AI training facility</a> &mdash; 404 Media</li>
<li><a href="https://www.404media.co/ai-companies-are-buying-tons-of-old-books-because-theyre-free-of-ai-slop/">AI companies are buying tons of old books because they're free of AI slop</a> &mdash; 404 Media</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ban.org/trash-transparency">Trash Transparency Project</a> &mdash; Basel Action Network</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/america-e-waste-gps-tracker-tells-all-earthfix">America's e-waste: a GPS tracker tells all</a> &mdash; PBS NewsHour<a href="https://abcnews.com/US/put-dozens-trackers-plastic-bags-recycling-trashed/story?id=99509422"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-anthropic-copyright-settlement-claude-books-bartz-74b140444023898aeba8579b6e9f0d63">Anthropic agrees to pay $1.5B to settle lawsuit with book authors</a> &mdash; Associated Press</li>
</ul>
Anduril in the Seattle region
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/inside-andurils-ai-warfighting-buildup-defense-giant-sees-a-path-to-1000-seattle-area-engineers/">Inside Anduril's AI warfighting buildup: Defense giant sees a path to 1,000 Seattle-area engineers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/anduril-exits-seattle-shipyard-following-canceled-navy-program-and-omission-from-new-warship-list/">Anduril exits Seattle shipyard following canceled Navy program and omission from new warship list</a><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/defense-giant-anduril-is-quietly-building-autonomous-warships-on-seattles-historic-ship-canal/"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/defense-tech-giant-anduril-eyes-new-funding-at-100b-valuation-as-seattle-expansion-draws-protests/">Defense tech giant Anduril eyes new funding at $100B valuation as Seattle expansion draws protests</a> &mdash; GeekWire, July 2026</li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/ai-weapons-under-scrutiny-as-activists-plan-weekend-protest-at-andurils-seattle-office/">AI weapons under scrutiny as activists plan weekend protest at Anduril's Seattle office</a> &mdash; GeekWire, July 2026</li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/anduril-lands-5b-as-defense-giant-builds-autonomous-warship-operation-in-seattle/">Anduril lands $5B as defense giant builds autonomous warship operation in Seattle</a> &mdash; GeekWire, May 2026</li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/defense-giant-anduril-is-quietly-building-autonomous-warships-on-seattles-historic-ship-canal/">Defense giant Anduril is quietly building autonomous warships on Seattle's historic ship canal</a> &mdash; GeekWire, April 2026</li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/military-tech-giant-anduril-lands-in-bellevue-doubling-footprint-in-seattle-region/">Military tech giant Anduril lands in Bellevue, doubling footprint in Seattle region</a> &mdash; GeekWire, July 2025</li>
</ul>

Amazon's drones finally take off, inside Anduril's Seattle-area buildup, and an AirTag leads to a secret Amazon facility


This week: What should Liverpool FC fans expect from Jeff Bezos as a member of the storied club's new minority ownership group? We consult the Amazon leadership principles for the answer. Plus, a tip and an SEC filing lead to a scoop on a former Meta AI director's new startup, the GeekWire Editorial Board convenes to decide whether Dave Clark's Auger stays on the GeekWire 200 after moving its HQ to Dallas, and Microsoft quietly semi-retires its AI blob.

Bezos and Liverpool FC
Group including Jeff Bezos buys minority stake in Liverpool FC, with option to become controlling owner — CNBC
Liverpool: FSG sell minority stake to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos-backed consortium led by Amit Bhatia — Sky Sports
Bezos, Bhatia buy a stake in Liverpool: What does it mean for the club and FSG? — ESPN
Bezos, Bhatia, Saverin buy Liverpool stake at $7 billion valuation — Sportico
The Redmen TV — independent Liverpool FC fan channel

Noosphere and the Form D
Ex-Meta AI research director raises $10.25M from Trilogy and Madrona for stealth physical AI startup
Kevin T. Carlberg — founder's research site

Auger and the GeekWire 200
This former Amazon exec is moving his startup's HQ to Texas, and he has a few notes for Seattle
Dave and Leigh Anne Clark move Auger headquarters to Dallas — D Magazine
GeekWire 200
Seattle Engineering Centers
New map traces Washington state's tech 'universe' to a few key hubs, and shows what's at risk
'We can't become callous': KIRO hosts debate what a startup's departure to Texas says about Seattle's business climate — MyNorthwest

Microsoft and Mico
Farewell, Mico: Microsoft's cute little AI blob is going the way of Bob
Microsoft starts merging its Copilot consumer and business apps in advance of 'Super App' rollout

With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. 

This week: What should Liverpool FC fans expect from Jeff Bezos as a member of the storied club's new minority ownership group? We consult the Amazon leadership principles for the answer. Plus, a tip and an SEC filing lead to a scoop on a former Meta AI director's new startup, the GeekWire Editorial Board convenes to decide whether Dave Clark's Auger stays on the GeekWire 200 after moving its HQ to Dallas, and Microsoft quietly semi-retires its AI blob.
Bezos and Liverpool FC
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/14/jeff-bezos-group-buys-stake-liverpool-fc.html">Group including Jeff Bezos buys minority stake in Liverpool FC, with option to become controlling owner</a> &mdash; CNBC</li>
<li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/13573040/liverpool-fsg-sell-minority-stake-to-amazon-founder-jeff-bezos-backed-consortium-led-by-amit-bhatia">Liverpool: FSG sell minority stake to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos-backed consortium led by Amit Bhatia</a> &mdash; Sky Sports</li>
<li><a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49611080/liverpool-jeff-bezos-amit-bhatia-investment-fsg-premier-league-beth-lindop-analysis">Bezos, Bhatia buy a stake in Liverpool: What does it mean for the club and FSG?</a> &mdash; ESPN</li>
<li><a href="https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2026/jeff-bezos-liverpool-stake-bhatia-saverin-1234941903/">Bezos, Bhatia, Saverin buy Liverpool stake at $7 billion valuation</a> &mdash; Sportico</li>
<li><a href="https://theredmentv.com/">The Redmen TV</a> &mdash; independent Liverpool FC fan channel</li>
</ul>
Noosphere and the Form D
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/ex-meta-ai-research-director-raises-10-25m-from-trilogy-and-madrona-for-stealth-physical-ai-startup/">Ex-Meta AI research director raises $10.25M from Trilogy and Madrona for stealth physical AI startup</a></li>
<li><a href="https://kevintcarlberg.net/">Kevin T. Carlberg</a> &mdash; founder's research site</li>
</ul>
Auger and the GeekWire 200
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/this-former-amazon-exec-is-moving-his-startups-hq-to-texas-and-he-has-a-few-notes-for-seattle/">This former Amazon exec is moving his startup's HQ to Texas, and he has a few notes for Seattle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.dmagazine.com/business-economy/2026/08/dave-and-leigh-anne-clark-are-back-in-dallas-auger/">Dave and Leigh Anne Clark move Auger headquarters to Dallas</a> &mdash; D Magazine</li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/geekwire-200/">GeekWire 200</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/engineering-centers/">Seattle Engineering Centers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/new-map-traces-washington-states-tech-universe-to-a-few-key-hubs-and-shows-whats-at-risk/">New map traces Washington state's tech 'universe' to a few key hubs, and shows what's at risk</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-opinion/seattle-startups-departure/4265825">'We can't become callous': KIRO hosts debate what a startup's departure to Texas says about Seattle's business climate</a> &mdash; MyNorthwest</li>
</ul>
Microsoft and Mico
<ul dir="ltr">
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/farewell-mico-microsofts-cute-little-ai-blob-is-going-the-way-of-bob/">Farewell, Mico: Microsoft's cute little AI blob is going the way of Bob</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/microsoft-starts-merging-its-copilot-consumer-and-business-apps-in-advance-of-super-app-rollout/">Microsoft starts merging its Copilot consumer and business apps in advance of 'Super App' rollout</a></li>
</ul>
With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook.&nbsp;

Gates and Warren; Amazon's Political Problems; Sounders Rap

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