Free Daily Podcast Summary
GeekWire: Daily Summaries Delivered
by GeekWire
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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Today1h 16m
Seattle and San Francisco: Big tech, political backlash and the AI boom
This week, GeekWire co-founder John Cook joins University of Washington historian Margaret O'Mara, author of "The Code," and San Francisco journalist Jonathan Weber, author of "City on the Edge," for a live joint taping with the Blue City Blues podcast at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle. With Blue City Blues hosts David Hyde and Sandeep Kaushik, they trace the rise of Microsoft and Amazon, the backlash against big tech, the record of both cities' mayors, and Seattle's place in an AI boom that's largely originating in San Francisco.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 1 weeks ago52 min
Live show: Amazon, Meta and the fight over the future of AI; Plus, is Seattle still the place to build?
This week: Amazon is blocking Meta's new Muse AI assistant from shopping on Amazon.com, saying the agent doesn't identify itself and violates the site's conditions of use. We explain why the standoff is an early sign of a much bigger fight over whether AI agents can use websites and apps on people's behalf, and why Amazon has so much riding on the answer. For the definitive word on the issue, we ask Muse what it has to say for itself, and get an impressively sophisticated and evenhanded answer. We recorded this week's show live at Daniel's Broiler in downtown Seattle, in front of a room of startup founders and CEOs, at a dinner hosted and sponsored by Northern Trust. Mike Fridgen, a longtime Seattle entrepreneur and Madrona venture partner now working on a stealth startup, joins us to talk about whether Seattle is still a good place to build a company. The conversation covers the region's talent, its history and the debate over taxes including Seattle's JumpStart payroll tax, which Mayor Katie Wilson's new budget holds flat. Then we take questions from the room. Ridge AI CEO Ellie Fields asks how business leaders can engage productively in building the region, Latch CEO Stefan Kalb asks why Seattle has less venture capital than the Bay Area and ACME Brains founder Mary Jesse asks how to get past polarization. We close with a satellite-themed GeekWire Trivia Challenge and an unexpected announcement from Starfish Space co-founder Austin Link. Related links Amazon blocks Meta's Muse AI assistant in new standoff over agentic shopping Facing 'seismic shifts' in tech sector, Seattle mayor freezes JumpStart tax rates in new budget 'The warning signs are flashing': New regional partnership calls for cohesive Seattle-area tech strategy Data visualization all-stars unveil Ridge AI with $2.6M to fix the analytics problem for SaaS apps With NASA's backing, Starfish Space is getting ready for the orbital debut of its flagship Otter spacecraft With GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 2 weeks ago46 min
AI meets real estate, with Zillow's engineering SVP Toby Roberts
On this week's show, recorded live at Atmosphere Seattle on the shores of Lake Union, Zillow Senior Vice President of Engineering Toby Roberts joins us to talk about what AI is doing to the business of buying and selling homes. The show was recorded in partnership with Real Estate At Work, the networking group hosted by Leka Devatha, a broker with Real Residential and founder of the redevelopment firm Rehabit Homes, in front of a room of brokers, investors and technologists. Roberts runs Zillow's core technology with a team of about 650 engineers. He says AI agents will work as a copilot for real estate agents rather than replace them — freeing up their time for the more human aspects of the job, helping people navigate the biggest transaction of their lives. We also talk about the line between AI and reality in home listings, and the tech industry's sudden push to slow AI down. Then it's the GeekWire Trivia Challenge: four extraordinary Zillow listings for unusual buildings converted into homes. Three are real. One is an AI deepfake. Check out the handout here with the four listings, and see if you can tell the difference. With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited and produced by Curt Milton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 3 weeks ago42 min
Study warns Seattle over-relies on Big Tech; Seattle Times v. Microsoft; Apple's iPhone Duo echoes the past
This week: A study commissioned by the City of Seattle warns that the city is not in decline but is in danger, finding that 10 companies, nine of them in tech, pay three-quarters of the payroll tax on large employers, and that the tax structure uniquely penalizes the hiring of senior, high-compensation workers. The report says Seattle should be most concerned about AI but most active in cleantech, the one industry the city can actually shape, since it owns the electric utility and controls permitting, building codes and land use. Meanwhile, the Seattle Times and Newsday sue Microsoft and OpenAI, accusing them of copying hundreds of thousands of articles to train their AI models, putting Microsoft's hometown paper against a company that helps fund some of its journalism. And Apple's first foldable arrives as the iPhone Duo, reviving the name of the dual-screen phone Microsoft gave up on in 2023, with Surface fans arguing Apple took more than the name. Which leads us to a new GeekWire Trivia Challenge on the Microsoft products that Apple later turned into categories. Upcoming Event: GeekWire, in partnership with Real Estate at Work, is recording the GeekWire Podcast live at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, with Toby Roberts, SVP of Engineering at Zillow. Grab a ticket. With John Cook and Todd Bishop. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 4 weeks ago35 min
NBA's Ballmer crackdown echoes Microsoft antitrust, SF vs. Seattle housing, and a Seahawks tech twist
This week: The NBA suspends former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for a year and hits the Clippers with $30 million in fines and five lost draft picks over allegedly sham endorsement deals for Kawhi Leonard, drawing comparisons to the Microsoft antitrust era. A new Redfin report says San Francisco's housing market is booming on AI wealth while Seattle slumps, with the Bay Area-to-Seattle migration pipeline nearly dried up. And the Seahawks sale to the Khosla family officially closes, ending the Paul Allen era, with two familiar Seattle tech names surfacing in the new ownership group. Plus, the return of the GeekWire Trivia Challenge. Related Stories and Links Ballmer / Clippers NBA suspends Steve Ballmer for 1 year, fines L.A. Clippers $30M over salary-cap scheme NBA announces penalties and findings arising from investigation of LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard — NBA Read the NBA's Report on Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, and Aspiration — Front Office Sports NBA announces punishments for Clippers after Kawhi inquiry — ESPN The Briefcase, Ballmer's Social Network and Aspiration's House of Cards: Kawhi-Gate Part VII — Pablo Torre Finds Out Redfin / SF vs. Seattle housing AI wealth fuels San Francisco's housing boom while tech layoffs weigh down Seattle Uber laying off 93 Washington state workers, hitting engineer and management roles at Seattle office Qualtrics cut 117 jobs tied to Seattle headquarters, new filing shows Seahawks sale Two familiar Seattle tech figures turn up on Seahawks co-owner list as sale is finalized 'I'm the 12th man ... I want to represent that': New Seahawks co-owner with deep Seattle tech roots What to know about Vinod Khosla, the Silicon Valley legend whose family is buying the Seahawks Apptio co-founders reunite to launch enterprise AI startup Thira with $21M in funding led by Madrona See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Aug 29, 202649 min
Bill Gates in his own words: How he's using AI, and why he's worried about the future
This week: Bill Gates published a new essay warning that the AI industry is crossing the safety lines it set for itself, and that nobody is preparing for what's coming. At 70 years old, he also uses AI more than most people half his age, and he finds it enthralling, as you'll hear in highlights from our interview with Gates about the memo. Along the way this week, we dig into his three proposals: new institutions for managing the transition, a category of jobs reserved for humans, and a tax on the use and purchase of AI and robots. With Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton. Music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell. Related headlines and links The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical. — Bill Gates, Gates Notes 'I am very concerned': Bill Gates says the world needs a plan to deal with AI, and he has three ideas to start Bill Gates says there's 'no upper limit' on AI, citing opportunity and risk Etzioni on AI: Bill Gates has the right diagnosis but the wrong prescription Dwarkesh Podcast: Ryan Greenblatt — What happens once AI can automate AI research? New York Times: Bill Gates is warning that A.I. is more dangerous than Big Tech will admit Wall Street Journal: Three takeaways from Bill Gates's 5,784-word warning on AI: 'There is no plan' MIT Technology Review: Bill Gates says we've passed AI's danger thresholds. Now what? Axios: Gates confronts the Epstein questions hanging over his AI push Transcript: Here's what Bill Gates told lawmakers in his recent Epstein testimony See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Aug 22, 202638 min
Amazon's drones finally take off, inside Anduril's Seattle-area buildup, and an AirTag leads to a secret Amazon facility
This week: Amazon's Prime Air drones are finally going national, nearly 13 years after Jeff Bezos unveiled the idea on 60 Minutes. GeekWire's John Cook goes inside Anduril's unmarked Bellevue office as the defense company builds toward 1,000 Seattle-area engineers. Plus: a reporter hides an AirTag in a rare book and tracks it to a secret Amazon book-scanning facility in Las Vegas. With John Cook and Todd Bishop; edited by Curt Milton. Related stories and links Mentioned at the top Want to know what Jeff Bezos brings to Liverpool FC? Study Amazon's Leadership Principles Amazon drone delivery Amazon drone delivery set to expand nationally, reaching nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns this year Amazon's big surprise: Working on autonomous flying delivery drones — GeekWire, December 2013 Jeff Bezos unveils the Prime Air prototype on 60 Minutes — YouTube Amazon Prime Air drone delivery expansion — Amazon Andy Jassy's 2025 letter to shareholders — Amazon Walmart, Wing expand drone delivery coverage — Supply Chain Dive The AirTag and the book-scanning facility How an AirTag planted by a reporter led to a secret Amazon site where old books are cut apart and scanned We tracked a shipment of rare books. It ended at an Amazon AI training facility — 404 Media AI companies are buying tons of old books because they're free of AI slop — 404 Media Trash Transparency Project — Basel Action Network America's e-waste: a GPS tracker tells all — PBS NewsHour Anthropic agrees to pay $1.5B to settle lawsuit with book authors — Associated Press Anduril in the Seattle region Inside Anduril's AI warfighting buildup: Defense giant sees a path to 1,000 Seattle-area engineers Anduril exits Seattle shipyard following canceled Navy program and omission from new warship list Defense tech giant Anduril eyes new funding at $100B valuation as Seattle expansion draws protests — GeekWire, July 2026 AI weapons under scrutiny as activists plan weekend protest at Anduril's Seattle office — GeekWire, July 2026 Anduril lands $5B as defense giant builds autonomous warship operation in Seattle — GeekWire, May 2026 <a href="https://www.geekwire.com
- Aug 15, 202636 min
Bezos and Liverpool FC, a Meta vet's AI startup, Auger's Dallas move, and the demise of Microsoft's AI blob
This week: What should Liverpool FC fans expect from Jeff Bezos as a member of the storied club's new minority ownership group? We consult the Amazon leadership principles for the answer. Plus, a tip and an SEC filing lead to a scoop on a former Meta AI director's new startup, the GeekWire Editorial Board convenes to decide whether Dave Clark's Auger stays on the GeekWire 200 after moving its HQ to Dallas, and Microsoft quietly semi-retires its AI blob. Bezos and Liverpool FC Group including Jeff Bezos buys minority stake in Liverpool FC, with option to become controlling owner — CNBC Liverpool: FSG sell minority stake to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos-backed consortium led by Amit Bhatia — Sky Sports Bezos, Bhatia buy a stake in Liverpool: What does it mean for the club and FSG? — ESPN Bezos, Bhatia, Saverin buy Liverpool stake at $7 billion valuation — Sportico The Redmen TV — independent Liverpool FC fan channel Noosphere and the Form D Ex-Meta AI research director raises $10.25M from Trilogy and Madrona for stealth physical AI startup Kevin T. Carlberg — founder's research site Auger and the GeekWire 200 This former Amazon exec is moving his startup's HQ to Texas, and he has a few notes for Seattle Dave and Leigh Anne Clark move Auger headquarters to Dallas — D Magazine GeekWire 200 Seattle Engineering Centers New map traces Washington state's tech 'universe' to a few key hubs, and shows what's at risk 'We can't become callous': KIRO hosts debate what a startup's departure to Texas says about Seattle's business climate — MyNorthwest Microsoft and Mico Farewell, Mico: Microsoft's cute little AI blob is going the way of Bob Microsoft starts merging its Copilot consumer and business apps in advance of 'Super App' rollout With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Get GeekWire summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Uncanny Valley | WIRED
A weekly look at Silicon Valley’s tech, power, and influence through interviews and insider reporting from WIRED journalists.
Pivot
Sharp, unfiltered analysis of tech, business, and politics with bold predictions and lively debate.
Sources with Alex Heath
A podcast offering insider interviews with influential tech leaders and rising entrepreneurs shaping Silicon Valley's future.
TechLinked
A weekly news show covering technology and gaming culture.
Morning Brew Daily
A daily breakdown of business, economic, and general news with a witty and informative approach to start your day.
TWiT News (Audio)
Covers breaking tech news and product announcements from major technology companies with expert analysis.
The AI XR Podcast.
Industry insiders interview top founders and executives on AI, spatial computing, VR/AR, and synthetic media.
Tech News Daily
A daily roundup of the most important tech news, covering artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and new gadgets.
Bloomberg Tech
Daily news and analysis on global tech companies, innovation, and the future of business.
The Best One Yet
Daily business news explained through sharp analysis and witty commentary, delivered in concise 20-minute episodes.
Daily Tech News Show
A daily briefing covering the latest developments in technology news from an independent and trustworthy source.
AI News Daily
A daily summary of the latest news in artificial intelligence, covering machine learning, robotics, automation, and AI ethics.
About GeekWire
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.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from GeekWire in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's GeekWire daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of GeekWire as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the GeekWire podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official GeekWire product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by GeekWire.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does GeekWire release new episodes?
GeekWire publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does GeekWire cover?
GeekWire covers topics including News, Technology. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting GeekWire summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.