Todd Bishop and John Cook reflect on the top tech stories of 2025, a pivotal year defined by the AI boom's dual nature: massive infrastructure spending alongside widespread layoffs.

We discuss Bill Gates' framing of AI as "intelligence becoming free," the tension between tech workers and corporate mandates to adopt AI, and the "best of times, worst of times" dichotomy playing out at Microsoft, Amazon, and across the industry.

We also cover the top story of the year — UW rethinking its computer science curriculum — the Statsig acquisition by OpenAI, Seattle's competitive position, and the human side of tech through Ambika Singh's heartfelt speech at the GeekWire Awards.

Featuring audio clips from Gates, Satya Nadella, Andy Jassy, Ken Jennings, and more.

Audio editing by Curt Milton.

Todd Bishop and John Cook reflect on the top tech stories of 2025, a pivotal year defined by the AI boom's dual nature: massive infrastructure spending alongside widespread layoffs.
We discuss Bill Gates' framing of AI as "intelligence becoming free," the tension between tech workers and corporate mandates to adopt AI, and the "best of times, worst of times" dichotomy playing out at Microsoft, Amazon, and across the industry.
We also cover the top story of the year &mdash; UW rethinking its computer science curriculum &mdash; the Statsig acquisition by OpenAI, Seattle's competitive position, and the human side of tech through Ambika Singh's heartfelt speech at the GeekWire Awards.
Featuring audio clips from Gates, Satya Nadella, Andy Jassy, Ken Jennings, and more.
Audio editing by Curt Milton.

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

The stories that defined 2025: AI dreams, brutal realities, and Seattle tech at a turning point

This week on the GeekWire Podcast: Amazon and Microsoft are racing to define the next era of consumer AI, on multiple fronts. We discuss Amazon's attempt to upgrade Alexa into a true generative AI home chatbot — complete with a new web portal and updated Alexa app — while Microsoft leverages its enterprise strength to win over retailers with a new Copilot Checkout feature.

Plus, we explore Google's upcoming "AI Inbox" for Gmail, which promises to act like an executive assistant for your email. We talk about a DIY bird feeder experiment that resulted in "fuzzy birds," and share our initial experience with AI automation on the PC desktop from Seattle startup Vercept.

We offer a Netflix recommendation, Cover-Up, the new documentary about investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. And on that theme, we lament the loss of a major American newspaper, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and reminisce about the time we made an appearance on its editorial page.

With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton.

This week on the GeekWire Podcast: Amazon and Microsoft are racing to define the next era of consumer AI, on multiple fronts. We discuss Amazon's attempt to upgrade Alexa into a true generative AI home chatbot &mdash; complete with <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/amazons-ai-on-the-web-wrist-and-phone-tech-giant-chases-consumer-rivals-with-latest-moves/">a new web portal and updated Alexa app</a> &mdash; while Microsoft leverages its enterprise strength to win over retailers with<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/microsoft-launches-copilot-checkout-joining-the-ai-shopping-race-against-amazon-google-and-openai/"> a new Copilot Checkout feature</a>.
Plus, we explore Google's upcoming <a href="https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/gmail/gmail-is-entering-the-gemini-era/">"AI Inbox" for Gmail</a>, which promises to act like an executive assistant for your email. We talk about a DIY bird feeder experiment that resulted in "fuzzy birds," and share our initial experience with AI automation on the PC desktop from Seattle startup <a href="https://vercept.com/">Vercept</a>.
We offer a Netflix recommendation, <a href="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/cover-up-documentary-release-date-news">Cover-Up</a>, the new documentary about investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. And on that theme, we lament <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/business/media/pittsburgh-post-gazette-closing.html?unlocked_article_code=1.DVA.rrTv.fA0OBVAIpL36&amp;smid=url-share">the loss of a major American newspaper</a>, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and reminisce about the time we made an appearance <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bishoptodd_very-sorry-to-see-the-news-about-the-decision-activity-7414823628833357824-L41n/">on its editorial page</a>.
With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton.

Alexa’s next act, Microsoft’s retail play, Google’s AI inbox, and a smart bird feeder fail


The FCC delivered a massive shakeup to the drone industry right before the holidays, adding foreign-made drones (most notably from industry giant DJI) to its "Covered List" of national security threats. While the move effectively bans the sale of future DJI models in the U.S., GeekWire’s Todd Bishop and John Cook explore why this might be a golden economic opportunity for the Pacific Northwest.

Featuring highlights from a recent interview with Blake Resnick of Brinc, the Seattle-based maker of public safety drones, who lobbied for the U.S. policy change and supports the move.

Related story:Drone capital of the world? Seattle could be a big winner in the U.S. crackdown on DJI and others

Plus, the results are in. After ignoring John’s advice and deciding to retrofit his 2007 Toyota Camry with a modern infotainment system, Todd shares the verdict. 

The FCC delivered a massive shakeup to the drone industry right before the holidays, adding foreign-made drones (most notably from industry giant DJI) to its "Covered List" of national security threats. While the move effectively bans the sale of future DJI models in the U.S., GeekWire&rsquo;s Todd Bishop and John Cook explore why this might be a golden economic opportunity for the Pacific Northwest.
Featuring highlights from a recent interview with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-resnick-164871bb/">Blake Resnick</a> of <a href="https://brincdrones.com/">Brinc</a>, the Seattle-based <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/public-safety-drone-maker-brinc-raises-75m-forms-strategic-alliance-with-motorola/">maker of public safety drones</a>, who lobbied for the U.S. policy change and supports the move.
Related story: <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/drone-capital-of-the-world-seattle-could-be-a-big-winner-in-the-u-s-crackdown-on-dji-and-others/">Drone capital of the world? Seattle could be a big winner in the U.S. crackdown on DJI and others</a>
Plus, the results are in. After <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/bezos-is-back-in-startup-mode-amazon-gets-weird-again-and-the-great-old-car-tech-retrofit-debate/">ignoring John&rsquo;s advice</a> and deciding to retrofit his 2007 Toyota Camry with a modern infotainment system, Todd shares the verdict.&nbsp;

A silver lining for Seattle in the DJI ban, and the verdict on the 2007 Camry tech retrofit

If you're looking for an uncommon thinker, how about a tech industry veteran developing and selling landline phones in 2025 — and selling out of them in the process. Chet Kittleson is the co-founder and CEO of Tin Can, a Seattle startup making Wi-Fi enabled landline phones designed to let kids talk to friends and family with just their voices. No screens, no AI. 

GeekWire recognized Kittleson as one of our Uncommon Thinkers for 2025, a program presented in partnership with Greater Seattle Partners honoring inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs transforming their industries in unexpected ways.

In this episode, he talks about the moment at school pickup that sparked the idea, why his own kids don't own devices, what happened when he eliminated screens on family road trips, and the $12 million seed round led by Greylock that will fuel the company's next chapter.

Related stories:
Tin Can dials up another $12M to meet soaring demand for landline-style phone for kids
Uncommon Thinkers: Tin Can is Chet Kittleson’s calling, and a way to foster deeper connections
Uncommon Thinkers: Hope for the future from our 2025 honorees

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

 

If you're looking for an uncommon thinker, how about a tech industry veteran developing and selling landline phones in 2025 &mdash; and selling out of them in the process. Chet Kittleson is the co-founder and CEO of Tin Can, a Seattle startup making Wi-Fi enabled landline phones designed to let kids talk to friends and family with just their voices. No screens, no AI.&nbsp;
GeekWire recognized Kittleson as one of our <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/special-coverage/uncommon-thinkers-2025/">Uncommon Thinkers</a> for 2025, a program presented in partnership with Greater Seattle Partners honoring inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs transforming their industries in unexpected ways.
In this episode, he talks about the moment at school pickup that sparked the idea, why his own kids don't own devices, what happened when he eliminated screens on family road trips, and the $12 million seed round led by Greylock that will fuel the company's next chapter.
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/tin-can-dials-up-another-12m-to-meet-soaring-demand-for-landline-style-phone-for-kids/">Tin Can dials up another $12M to meet soaring demand for landline-style phone for kids</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/uncommon-thinkers-tin-can-is-chet-kittlesons-calling-and-a-way-to-foster-deeper-connections/">Uncommon Thinkers: Tin Can is Chet Kittleson&rsquo;s calling, and a way to foster deeper connections</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/uncommon-thinkers-hope-for-the-future-from-our-2025-honorees/">Uncommon Thinkers: Hope for the future from our 2025 honorees</a></li>
</ul>
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop; edited by Curt Milton.
&nbsp;

The stories that defined 2025: AI dreams, brutal realities, and Seattle tech at a turning point

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