We’ve come to the end of another week here at Soundside, the end of Winter is right around the corner, and there is a LOT to do before we ‘Spring Forward’ on Sunday.

Let’s talk about it! Here’s Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows

LINKS:
Emerald City Comic Con
Tacoma Beer Week
Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Round Up
Oops All Goalies!
Lunar New Year Celebration | Seattle Chinatown-International District
Penn Cove Musselfest
Northwest Record Show

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

We&rsquo;ve come to the end of another week here at Soundside, the end of Winter is right around the corner, and there is a LOT to do before we &lsquo;Spring Forward&rsquo; on Sunday.
Let&rsquo;s talk about it! Here&rsquo;s Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.emeraldcitycomiccon.com/">Emerald City Comic Con</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tacomabeerweek.com/beer-week-events">Tacoma Beer Week</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.winthropwashington.com/event-details/winthrop-hot-air-balloon-round-up">Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Round Up</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVc_6jXFRIA/?hl=en">Oops All Goalies!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlechinatownid.com/experiences/lunar-new-year">Lunar New Year Celebration | Seattle Chinatown-International District</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.penncovemusselfest.com/">Penn Cove Musselfest</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1670363693948541">Northwest Record Show</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.&nbsp;

Soundside

Soundside presents the Weekend Warmup! Find all the events worthy of YOUR time off with host Jason Megatron Burrows.

Soundside's "Weekend Warmup" - 3/5-8

Hours before the United States launched strikes on Iran, there was another big story at the Pentagon: 

The Department of Defense designated Anthropic, the U.S.-based AI company, a supply chain risk. This was shortly after President Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic technology.

The announcement came as DoD and the AI company failed to reach a deal on how Anthropic technology could be used in classified networks.

The sticking points in contract negotiations? Two use cases: Mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons.

Anthropic had a $200 million contract with the Pentagon – and its Claude AI model was reportedly used in the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. 

Out of the shambles of the Anthropic negotiation.The Pentagon quickly announced a deal with its rival, Open AI.

The contract dispute points to the increasing role of AI in the military and what safeguards may exist for its use both domestically and in war. 

Guest:

Bill Howe, associate professor at the University of Washington’s Information School. He runs UW’s Responsibility in AI Systems and Experiences center

Relevant Links:

NYT: How Talks Between Anthropic and the Defense Dept. Fell Apart

WSJ: What’s Really at Stake in the Fight Between Anthropic and the Pentagon

Hours before the United States launched strikes on Iran, there was another big story at the Pentagon:&nbsp;
The Department of Defense designated Anthropic, the U.S.-based AI company, a supply chain risk. This was shortly after President Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic technology.
The announcement came as DoD and the AI company failed to reach a deal on how Anthropic technology could be used in classified networks.
The sticking points in contract negotiations? Two use cases: Mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons.
Anthropic had a $200 million contract with the Pentagon &ndash; and its Claude AI model was reportedly used in the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;
Out of the shambles of the Anthropic negotiation.The Pentagon quickly announced a deal with its rival, Open AI.
The contract dispute points to the increasing role of AI in the military and what safeguards may exist for its use both domestically and in war.&nbsp;
Guest:
Bill Howe, associate professor at the University of Washington&rsquo;s Information School. He runs UW&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.raise.uw.edu/">Responsibility in AI Systems and Experiences</a> center
Relevant Links:
NYT: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/01/technology/anthropic-defense-dept-openai-talks.html">How Talks Between Anthropic and the Defense Dept. Fell Apart</a>
WSJ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/whats-really-at-stake-in-the-fight-between-anthropic-and-the-pentagon-d450c1a1?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqcTlLoV7J8QhM6w9xzWsJIk90rmgW0mq-_GUMC7MHtTzd5P1RACzaXUQodWDnY%3D&amp;gaa_ts=69a763e6&amp;gaa_sig=sgnst8rc2X3wCYSpoAlI7iKwCUQGvzx2rPgmHoeZZ1KQQT0U86Yx0cAjfYTORs_rjf0-LMMweUSlOXd5KNNhMQ%3D%3D">What&rsquo;s Really at Stake in the Fight Between Anthropic and the Pentagon</a><a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/whats-really-at-stake-in-the-fight-between-anthropic-and-the-pentagon-d450c1a1?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqcTlLoV7J8QhM6w9xzWsJIk90rmgW0mq-_GUMC7MHtTzd5P1RACzaXUQodWDnY%3D&amp;gaa_ts=69a763e6&amp;gaa_sig=sgnst8rc2X3wCYSpoAlI7iKwCUQGvzx2rPgmHoeZZ1KQQT0U86Yx0cAjfYTORs_rjf0-LMMweUSlOXd5KNNhMQ%3D%3D"></a>

The contract dispute points to the increasing role of AI in the military and what safeguards may exist for its use both domestically and in war. 

Anthropic–Pentagon contract dispute raises questions about AI's use in the military

There’s a major reshuffling of leadership happening at one of the videogame industry’s top companies. 

After 38 years at Microsoft, Phil Spencer is stepping away from his role as CEO of Microsoft Gaming. 

His was an incredibly long tenure, and it’s leaving many to wonder what it means for XBox, Microsoft Gaming, and gamers alike.

GUEST: Todd Bishop - Co-Founder of Geekwire

LINKS:
Xbox chief Phil Spencer retiring after 38 years at Microsoft; Asha Sharma named new gaming CEO
Who is Asha Sharma? A closer look at Microsoft’s surprise pick to lead the Xbox business
Analysis: The best thing that the new Xbox CEO can do is ... nothing

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

There&rsquo;s a major reshuffling of leadership happening at one of the videogame industry&rsquo;s top companies.&nbsp;
After 38 years at Microsoft, Phil Spencer is stepping away from his role as CEO of Microsoft Gaming.&nbsp;
His was an incredibly long tenure, and it&rsquo;s leaving many to wonder what it means for XBox, Microsoft Gaming, and gamers alike.
GUEST: Todd Bishop - Co-Founder of Geekwire
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/xbox-chief-phil-spencer-retiring-after-38-years-at-microsoft-asha-sharma-named-new-gaming-ceo/">Xbox chief Phil Spencer retiring after 38 years at Microsoft; Asha Sharma named new gaming CEO</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/who-is-asha-sharma-a-closer-look-at-microsofts-surprise-pick-to-lead-the-xbox-business/">Who is Asha Sharma? A closer look at Microsoft&rsquo;s surprise pick to lead the Xbox business</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/analysis-the-best-thing-that-the-new-xbox-ceo-can-do-is-nothing/">Analysis: The best thing that the new Xbox CEO can do is ... nothing</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Geekwire's Todd Bishop joins Soundside to talk about the latest changes at Microsoft Gaming and XBox as longtime CEO Phil Spencer retires after 38 years.

What a new CEO might signal about XBox's future

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Guest:


Paul Queary - Editor and Publisher at The Washington Observer

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.
It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>
Paul Queary - Editor and Publisher at <a href="https://washingtonobserver.substack.com/">The Washington Observer</a>
</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

Soundside's "Weekend Warmup" - 3/5-8

In 1 playlist(s)

Soundside

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips