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.

Soundside

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

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

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.

Front Page: the latest from Washington's legislature

WNBA fans, mark your calendars for March 10th. That's a key deadline that could determine when the teams actually hit the court.

If the league and players can’t shake hands on a new collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, by next Tuesday, the 2026 season could be delayed.

The Seattle Storm's Nneka Ogwumike is president of the WNBA players' union, and she's led the union as labor negotiations have progressed for over a year. The two sides are months past their original deadline for a deal.  

We talk about the key issues driving bargaining with a reporter covering the league. 

Guest

Sabreena Merchant, staff writer, The Athletic 

Related Links

WNBA’s new CBA offer boosts pay, fast-tracks max deals for stars like Caitlin Clark, AP source says - The Associated Press

Kelsey Plum sees WNBA's offer as a 'win,' but CBA talks continue - ESPN

What a March CBA deal would mean for WNBA free agency, expansion and the draft - The Athletic

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.

WNBA fans, mark your calendars for March 10th. <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/48017494/sources-wnba-sets-cba-deadline-keep-2026-schedule-intact">That's a key deadline</a> that could determine when the teams actually hit the court.
If the league and players can&rsquo;t shake hands on a new collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, by next Tuesday, the 2026 season could be delayed.
The Seattle Storm's Nneka Ogwumike is president of the WNBA players' union, and she's led the union as labor negotiations have progressed for over a year. The two sides are months past their original deadline for a deal. &nbsp;
We talk about the key issues driving bargaining with a reporter covering the league.&nbsp;
Guest <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/sabreenajm.bsky.social">Sabreena Merchant</a>, staff writer, The Athletic&nbsp; Related Links <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-cba-d4306962d1aa5eeb07a10dedea5fa90c">WNBA&rsquo;s new CBA offer boosts pay, fast-tracks max deals for stars like Caitlin Clark, AP source says</a> - The Associated Press <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/48082027/union-sees-wnba-offer-win-cba-talks-continue">Kelsey Plum sees WNBA's offer as a 'win,' but CBA talks continue</a> - ESPN
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7071517/2026/02/26/wnba-cba-agreement-spring-free-agency-expansion-draft-camp/">What a March CBA deal would mean for WNBA free agency, expansion and the draft</a> - The Athletic 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 is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

As new fans flock to the WNBA, the players and the league are still working out a new deal for the upcoming season.

What a new CEO might signal about XBox's future

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