This week on the GeekWire Podcast: Why is Amazon shedding 14,000 individuals in the midst of an AI growth — and is it actually a growth in any respect? We dig into the contradiction on the coronary heart of Seattle’s tech scene, discussing Amazon CEO Andy Jassy’s “world’s largest startup” rationale and what it says concerning the firm’s tradition and technique. And we debate whether or not AI progress represents true transformation or the acquainted indicators of a tech bubble within the making.
Then we study the imaginative and prescient of Cascadia high-speed rail — the bold plan to attach Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C., by bullet practice. Is it the regional infrastructure wanted to energy the Pacific Northwest’s subsequent chapter, or an costly dream on the lookout for a function?
With GeekWire co-founders John Cook dinner and Todd Bishop
Associated headlines from the week
Amazon layoffs
- Amazon confirms 14,000 job cuts, says push for ‘efficiency gains’ will continue into 2026
- A tale of two Seattles in the age of AI: Harsh realities and new hope for the tech community
- Filing: Amazon cuts more than 2,300 jobs in Washington state as part of broader layoffs
- Amazon layoffs hit software engineers hardest in Washington
- Amazon layoffs reaction: ‘Thought I was a top performer but guess I’m expendable’
- Amazon CEO says massive corporate layoffs were about agility — not AI or cost-cutting
Amazon earnings
- Amazon stock soars 11% after topping Q3 estimates with $180B in revenue, $21B in profits
- Amazon’s Anthropic investment boosts its quarterly profits by $9.5B
- ‘Big Beautiful’ tax benefit: Amazon and other tech giants reap the rewards of new law, for now
Microsoft Azure, earnings and OpenAI
- Microsoft’s Azure reports cloud outage, disrupting global customers including Alaska Airlines
- Microsoft beats expectations, reports nearly $35B in Q1 capital spending amid Azure outage
- Microsoft gets 27% stake in OpenAI, and a $250B Azure commitment
Seattle-Portland-Vancouver
- Slowly but surely, high-speed rail backers believe Cascadia mega-project will become a reality
- Cascadia’s AI paradox: A world-leading opportunity threatened by rising costs and a talent crunch
- The ‘enormous barrier’ that threatens economic growth in the Pacific Northwest
- Beta’s unique electric airplane flies into Seattle to wow state officials and aviation experts
Subscribe to GeekWire in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you pay attention.
