🤖 How AI is affecting Seattle

How AI Is Affecting Seattle

The recent layoffs at Microsoft and Amazon, totalling 29,000 nationally, aren’t entirely about replacing workers with AI. It’s more about having less bureaucracy, at least according to CEOs like Andy Jassy (Amazon) and Satya Nadella (Microsoft). Jassy said instead of AI, ‘It’s culture.” But what does that mean for Seattle? [Seattle Times]

• About a Third of King County Uses AI Every Day: Among working-age people, AI is used by 30% of the population, according to Microsoft. And even in ways we may not be aware. (Like Google’s search tool, for example, but you can opt out). King County is using AI as much as 10 times more than other counties. The only county with higher usage of AI is Snohomish at 35%.
• Middle Management Was Most Affected by Layoffs: Jasse is quoted as saying he wanted a more nimble culture (‘the world’s largest start up,’ he called it), and this meant laying off a lot of the middle management hired over the last several years. So while we can expect robots in the warehouse, Amazon wants less bureaucracy and red tape. Microsoft CEO wants to get into “founder mode.”
• Less Opportunity for Junior Workers: More firms are using a combination of senior employees and AI tools to write code. This will likely affect the hiring of younger people fresh out of school.
• More Layoffs and Slower Growth: Whatever your opinions on AI, there will be more layoffs as the technology continues to grow, and hiring may continue to stay stagnant.
• Seattle Has Survived Downturns Before: The Boeing Bust, the dotcom bubble, and the 2007 crisis have all impacted the city. This won’t be the first or last downturn. But turn off the lights, will ya?

⛈️ Western Washington Could See Some Serious Weather This Week: Heavy rain will cause flooding, impassable roads, and erosion. [Seattle Times]

⏳ Shorter Wait Times To Appear Before a Judge: A new court order reduces the time people in jail on felony charges wait to see a judge in King County from 14 to 3 days. The move is viewed as positive to ensure that people aren’t stuck in limbo and risk losing their jobs or homes. It can create issues in finding stable solutions for those who need support and/or for victims of violent crimes to have adequate time to appear in court. [Seattle Times]

🤢 Listeria Outbreak Hits Washington: A Snohomish woman was hospitalized due to a listeria outbreak in several frozen pasta dishes. This outbreak has impacted 18 states. You can find a list of affected foods on the FDA website. Please check your frozen food, Seattle!

💰 Seattle Has To Return $4 Million To The Federal Government: An internal review says that a 2017 grant had an unfair advantage, and the money, much of which has already been spent, must be returned. This means pulling from our own coffers. Not great news for Seattle’s transportation projects. [Seattle Times]