This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we take a closer look at the earnings reports from Microsoft and Amazon this week, as a litmus test for artificial intelligence demand and the state of the economy. We also consider the implications of Boeing's new CEO being based in the Seattle region, discuss a new AI tool that aims to streamline marketing tasks, and weigh in on the backlash to Google's Olympics ad for its Gemini AI chatbot
Microsoft capital spending soars to $19B, betting big on AI, as Azure growth underwhelms Wall Street
Amazon sales come up short, profits nearly double
Amazon looks to reduce costs to compete more aggressively on price as consumer habits shift
Boeing chooses its next CEO — and he will reportedly be based back in Seattle
Seattle tech vets launch 'Spok,' an AI copilot that aims to streamline marketing tasks – GeekWire
CNBC:Google pulls AI ad for Olympics following backlash

With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop and editor Taylor Soper.

This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we take a closer look at the earnings reports from Microsoft and Amazon this week, as a litmus test for artificial intelligence demand and the state of the economy. We also consider the implications of Boeing's new CEO being based in the Seattle region, discuss a new AI tool that aims to streamline marketing tasks, and weigh in on the backlash to Google's Olympics ad for its Gemini AI chatbot
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/microsoft-capital-spending-soars-to-19b-betting-big-on-ai-as-azure-growth-underwhelms-wall-street/">Microsoft capital spending soars to $19B, betting big on AI, as Azure growth underwhelms Wall Street</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/amazon-revenue-misses-expectations-but-profits-nearly-double-in-second-quarter-results/">Amazon sales come up short, profits nearly double</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/amazon-looks-to-reduce-costs-to-compete-more-aggressively-on-price/">Amazon looks to reduce costs to compete more aggressively on price as consumer habits shift</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/boeing-next-ceo-kelly-ortberg-seattle/">Boeing chooses its next CEO — and he will reportedly be based back in Seattle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/seattle-tech-vets-launch-spok-an-ai-copilot-that-aims-to-streamline-marketing-tasks/">Seattle tech vets launch 'Spok,' an AI copilot that aims to streamline marketing tasks – GeekWire</a></li>
<li>CNBC: <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/02/google-pulls-ai-ad-for-olympics-following-backlash.html?__source=twitter%7Ctech&amp;amp;taid=66ad2dbf4980560001587387&amp;amp;utm_campaign=trueanthem&amp;amp;utm_medium=social&amp;amp;utm_source=twitter">Google pulls AI ad for Olympics following backlash</a></li>
</ul>
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop and editor Taylor Soper.

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

Microsoft, Amazon, AI, the economy, and another bad tech ad

Amazon's AI strategy came into focus this week with the unveiling of Amazon Nova, its new family of homegrown AI models, a new AI model marketplace for Amazon Bedrock, and other news from the AWS re:Invent conference in Las Vegas. 

It turns out we've seen this before. As the company's AI strategy emerges, there are numerous similarities to its e-commerce business  including low cost, broad selection, products from Amazon and its selected vendors, and a marketplace. (This Fortune piece by reporter Jason Del Rey explores these parallels in detail.)

After spending four days in Las Vegas, attending sessions, and talking with AWS executives and attendees, GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook offer their takeaways and dissect Amazon's AI strategy on this episode of the GeekWire Podcast, recorded on location at the GeekWire Studios booth on the show floor. 

Related links and coverage
Apple makes surprise cameo at AWS re:Invent
Amazon unveils ‘Nova’ AI models, looking to make its mark in the generative AI revolution
‘An easy button to get off Windows’: Amazon’s new AI moves Microsoft apps to Linux
Amazon expands Bedrock with new AI model marketplace, a day after unveiling its own ‘Nova’

Edited by Curt Milton.

Amazon's AI strategy came into focus this week with the unveiling of Amazon Nova, its new family of homegrown AI models, a new AI model marketplace for Amazon Bedrock, and other news from the AWS re:Invent conference in Las Vegas. 
It turns out we've seen this before. As the company's AI strategy emerges, there are numerous similarities to its e-commerce business  including low cost, broad selection, products from Amazon and its selected vendors, and a marketplace. (<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/amazon-s-new-ai-cloud-strategy-is-ripped-straight-from-the-e-commerce-playbook-that-built-a-2-trillion-juggernaut/">This Fortune piece</a> by reporter Jason Del Rey explores these parallels in detail.)
After spending four days in Las Vegas, attending sessions, and talking with AWS executives and attendees, GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook offer their takeaways and dissect Amazon's AI strategy on this episode of the GeekWire Podcast, recorded on location at the GeekWire Studios booth on the show floor. 
Related links and coverage
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/apple-makes-surprise-cameo-at-aws-reinvent/">Apple makes surprise cameo at AWS re:Invent</a></li>

<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/amazon-unveils-nova-ai-models/">Amazon unveils ‘Nova’ AI models, looking to make its mark in the generative AI revolution</a></li>

<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/an-easy-button-to-get-off-windows-amazon-offers-ai-to-move-legacy-microsoft-apps-to-linux/">‘An easy button to get off Windows’: Amazon’s new AI moves Microsoft apps to Linux</a></li>

<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/amazon-expands-bedrock-with-new-ai-model-marketplace-a-day-after-unveiling-its-own-nova/">Amazon expands Bedrock with new AI model marketplace, a day after unveiling its own ‘Nova’</a></li>
</ul>
Edited by Curt Milton.

After spending four days in Las Vegas, attending sessions, and talking with AWS executives and attendees, GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook offer their takeaways and dissect Amazon's AI strategy on this episode of the GeekWire Podcast, recorded on location at the GeekWire Studios booth on the show floor. 

Amazon Nova, the future of AI, and more from the AWS re:Invent show floor

This week on the GeekWire Podcast, our guest is Sam Schillace, a deputy CTO at Microsoft and author of the new book, "No Prize for Pessimism," the first title from Microsoft's new publishing imprint, 8080 Books. Schillace discusses the importance of optimism in innovation, drawing parallels between the early cloud era and the current AI revolution. He also shares his past experiences as one of the creators of Google Docs, and emphasizes the value of tackling difficult, non-obvious problems.

Related Links: 
Sam Schillace's Sunday Letters on Substack.
The No Prize for Pessimism custom GPT.
No Prize for Pessimism on Amazon.
GeekWire: Microsoft turns a new page in the book business with its own publishing imprint

With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop; Edited by Curt Milton.

This week on the GeekWire Podcast, our guest is <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/schillace/">Sam Schillace</a>, a deputy CTO at Microsoft and author of the new book, <a href="https://unlocked.microsoft.com/8080-books/">"No Prize for Pessimism,"</a> the first title from <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/microsoft-turns-a-new-page-in-the-book-business-with-its-own-publishing-imprint/">Microsoft's new publishing imprint</a>, 8080 Books. Schillace discusses the importance of optimism in innovation, drawing parallels between the early cloud era and the current AI revolution. He also shares his past experiences as one of the creators of Google Docs, and emphasizes the value of tackling difficult, non-obvious problems.
Related Links: 
<ul>
<li>Sam Schillace's <a href="https://sundaylettersfromsam.substack.com/">Sunday Letters</a> on Substack.</li>
<li>The No Prize for Pessimism <a href="https://chatgpt.com/g/g-VxFWHEvRE-no-prize-for-pessimism">custom GPT</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/No-Prize-Pessimism-Letters-Optimist/dp/B0DMQKV6ZP/">No Prize for Pessimism</a> on Amazon.</li>
<li>GeekWire: <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/microsoft-turns-a-new-page-in-the-book-business-with-its-own-publishing-imprint/">Microsoft turns a new page in the book business with its own publishing imprint</a></li>
</ul>
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop; Edited by Curt Milton.

AI, Google Docs, and the messiness of innovation, with Microsoft Deputy CTO Sam Schillace

This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we discuss Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, which now includes Microsoft, and assess the complexities of the OpenAI-Microsoft partnership, as illustrated by early email exchanges revealed in the lawsuit.

We also consider the latest update to the GeekWire 200, our ranked index of Pacific Northwest technology startups, including the rise of Highspot to the top spot, and other trends in the Seattle region's startup ecosystem. 

And we share highlights from tech events around the region this week, including the WTIA's 40th Anniversary, where Mayor Bruce Harrell addressed AI and the incoming presidential administration; and an interesting takeaway from a panel of startup leaders whose companies made the latest Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list. 

Related links and coverage
Internal emails: Elon Musk wanted to keep OpenAI from becoming ‘Microsoft’s marketing bitch’
GeekWire 200 update: A new No. 1 rises to the top of our startup rankings
WTIA honors 40 years of boosting Washington’s tech sector as new CEO aims for more impact
Seattle mayor, who sits on a federal AI panel, says he’ll seek ways to work with Trump administration

With GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop

This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/internal-emails-elon-musk-wanted-to-keep-openai-from-becoming-microsofts-marketing-bitch/">discuss Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI</a>, which now includes Microsoft, and assess the complexities of the OpenAI-Microsoft partnership, as illustrated by early email exchanges revealed in the lawsuit.
We also consider <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/geekwire-200-update-a-new-no-1-rises-to-the-top-of-our-startup-rankings/">the latest update</a> to the <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/geekwire-200/">GeekWire 200</a>, our ranked index of Pacific Northwest technology startups, including the rise of Highspot to the top spot, and other trends in the Seattle region's startup ecosystem. 
And we share highlights from tech events around the region this week, including<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/wtia-honors-40-years-of-boosting-washingtons-tech-sector-as-new-ceo-aims-for-more-impact/"> the WTIA's 40th Anniversary</a>, where Mayor Bruce Harrell addressed AI and the incoming presidential administration; and an interesting takeaway from a panel of startup leaders whose companies made the latest <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/fast500-winners.html">Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list</a>. 
Related links and coverage
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/internal-emails-elon-musk-wanted-to-keep-openai-from-becoming-microsofts-marketing-bitch/">Internal emails: Elon Musk wanted to keep OpenAI from becoming ‘Microsoft’s marketing bitch’</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/geekwire-200-update-a-new-no-1-rises-to-the-top-of-our-startup-rankings/">GeekWire 200 update: A new No. 1 rises to the top of our startup rankings</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/wtia-honors-40-years-of-boosting-washingtons-tech-sector-as-new-ceo-aims-for-more-impact/">WTIA honors 40 years of boosting Washington’s tech sector as new CEO aims for more impact</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/seattle-mayor-member-of-federal-ai-panel-says-hell-seek-ways-to-work-with-trump-administration/">Seattle mayor, who sits on a federal AI panel, says he’ll seek ways to work with Trump administration</a></li>
</ul>
With GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop

Microsoft, Amazon, AI, the economy, and another bad tech ad

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