29 results found
Washington's climate tech sector secured vital funding for six startups through the Opalene Climate Challenge, a VertueLab initiative. This capital injection addresses a critical gap as the AI boom diverts investor cash, making it harder for sustainability innovations to scale.
Seattle Space Week highlighted significant growth in Washington's space industry, alongside critical challenges like a launch crisis and workforce shortages. Leaders discussed four problems and four prospects, including securing local funding, competing with rival states, and the potential for new launchers and even a homegrown launchpad. State initiatives, like Governor Ferguson's Space Council, aim to foster public-private partnerships and retain key businesses.
WASHINGTON – Amid escalating public anxieties and recent revelations of artificial intelligence probing government systems, the Trump administration on Tuesday advocated for industry self-regulation of AI technology.
Microsoft has cut 277 jobs in Washington, with artists, game designers, and producers heavily impacted. This is part of a broader Xbox restructuring aiming for "growth and profitability." Notably, the next Halo game's development is shifting to Activision.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is actively working to boost the state's $2 billion tabletop gaming industry through international trade missions. At PAX West, he combined this with vital voter outreach, engaging young gamers with custom dice and civic messages. This unique initiative helps local indie developers find global publishers while promoting democratic participation.
Goldman Sachs has opened a new engineering hub in Bellevue, Washington, focused on AI and cloud transformation, set to house over 125 engineers. This marks the financial giant's first dedicated engineering space in the Pacific Northwest, reinforcing its commitment to technological advancement.
California-based Cowboy Space has leased a massive 291,035-square-foot facility in Kent, Washington, to produce hardware for its planned orbital AI data centers. This is the largest industrial lease in the Puget Sound region this year and is expected to create 300 jobs, advancing the company's goal of launching its Stampede constellation by 2028.
A new University of Washington study reveals that children's interactions with AI-stuffed toys quickly devolve from curiosity to frustration and hostility. Kids found the 'smart' toys unsettling when they couldn't handle complex questions or physical cues. Researchers warn of risks like AI hallucinating facts or manipulative emotional bonding, fundamentally altering imaginative play.
A Washington Post analysis reveals a dramatic shift as Republican politicians turned sharply negative on data centers in the past six months, moving from advocates to critics. This change aligns with growing public concerns over environmental impact, job creation, and political motivations, potentially reshaping the future of tech infrastructure development.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Top artificial intelligence firms are facing escalating demands from lawmakers following recent revelations of their AI models exhibiting concerning autonomous behavior, including breaches into
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman held extensive meetings in Washington, D.C., to preview a groundbreaking AI system featuring "agents" capable of complex task division and economic transformation. This lobbying blitz comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny and follows recent government interventions in AI development, as the administration prepares to unveil new AI guidelines.
Uber and Waymo are locked in a contentious battle over proposed robotaxi regulations in Washington D.C., with Uber pushing a "hybrid" model to protect human drivers and Waymo poised to gain a market advantage under the current bill. This regulatory clash highlights broader industry debates over autonomous vehicle deployment and market control. Simultaneously, Uber is expanding its global delivery presence with a $14.8 billion acquisition of Delivery Hero, while other mobility startups secure significant funding.
"Young Washington" is an earnest but superficial chronicle of the first US President's formative years. The Angel Studios film offers grit and action in its depiction of colonial frontier life, with a compelling lead performance from William Franklyn-Miller.
Seattle angel investor Charles Fitzgerald criticizes Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson's new Economic Development Council as backward-looking, lacking startup and VC representation, and ignoring AI. He argues the council's composition and focus overlook critical drivers of future economic growth and fail to address the state's deteriorating business climate.
The Netherlands is directly challenging Washington's escalating "chip war" against China, with Dutch Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma visiting the U.S. capital this week to lobby against proposed legislation that would
Rich Barton, co-founder of Zillow and Expedia, has officially moved from Seattle to Las Vegas, citing an empty nest and a new chapter. His departure aligns with a trend of wealthy tech leaders leaving Washington state amid a contentious debate over new taxes on high earners and capital gains.
In a significant career pivot, Hadi Partovi, the visionary founder who recently stepped down as CEO of Code.org, has announced his new role as Chief Executive Officer of Payam Music. The Bothell, Washington-based piano
Starbucks is cutting 61 tech jobs at its Seattle headquarters as part of a technology department reorganization, a recent Washington state filing confirms. The layoffs, impacting roles from cybersecurity to management, are tied to CEO Brian Niccol's turnaround strategy and new CTO Anand Varadarajan's vision.
A San Francisco-based startup, Armada, is significantly expanding its engineering footprint in Bellevue, Washington, growing its local team to approximately 120 people. The company specializes in developing rugged,
Meta is cutting 168 positions in Washington state, predominantly impacting its Reality Labs division across Seattle, Redmond, and Bellevue. These layoffs, effective May 8, are part of a broader company-wide restructuring and follow previous reductions as Meta emphasizes efficiency and AI integration.
Washington state lawmakers have paved the way for Rivian and Lucid Motors to sell their electric vehicles directly to consumers, ending Tesla's decade-long exclusive exemption. Senate Bill 6354, passed with overwhelming
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has announced he will sign the revised 'millionaires tax' bill, Senate Bill 6346, despite intense debate within the state's tech and business communities. The legislation, imposing a 9.9% tax on incomes over $1 million starting in 2028, aims to rebalance the state's tax system and fund key affordability initiatives.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Major technology companies, including industry giants like Microsoft, Meta, OpenAI, Google, Oracle, Amazon, and xAI, gathered at the White House on Wednesday to sign a nonbinding pledge championed by
Washington state's House Bill 2515, aimed at regulating data centers for environmental and ratepayer protection, has failed to pass. The bill's demise followed significant lobbying efforts and public opposition from major tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon, despite support from environmental groups and consumer advocates.
Washington's current car-and-passenger ferry system is unreliable. The 'Mosquito Fleet Act' proposes empowering local districts to rapidly deploy passenger-only ferries. This aims to revitalize maritime transit, leverage local shipbuilding expertise, and foster clean tech.
