The new Microsoft Bing, and how AI is changing the web

Longtime Microsoft executive Yusuf Mehdi joins us on the GeekWire Podcast this week, speaking to GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop in Redmond after introducing the new Bing search engine and an updated version of Microsoft’s Edge browser. 

• "I think this has the potential to be one of these special moments, like Windows 95, or the original Internet Explorer, the Xbox One. It's one of those moments," Mehdi said. "And the reason I believe that is because I do think that this is the beginning of a new generation of search."

• Topics of our discussion include the potential impact of AI search on content creators, Google’s preemptive response to Microsoft’s announcement, the precautions Microsoft is taking to prevent another “Tay” moment, and both the capabilities and limitations of this new generation of AI.

• Listen to the interview here, or subscribe to GeekWire in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

• Related: My first dispute with Microsoft’s brilliant and boneheaded Bing search engine

Democrats in the Washington state legislature are trying again to make the state’s wealthiest residents pay up with a bill that would tax wealth surpassing $250 million.

• The wealth tax bill is one of several legislative attempts to tax wealthy Washingtonians without instigating a formal income tax. Some say such laws can help make the state’s tax system more equitable, while others believe they can dissuade businesses from coming to the state and undermine the region’s status as a technology hub. Read more. 

The Seattle Police Department has stopped using an artificial intelligence platform designed to analyze police body-cam footage in search of potentially inappropriate officer behavior.

• SPD had been using the software from Chicago-based startup Truleo since 2021. But following reactions to recent media coverage, SPD discontinued the project. Read more. 

Watching the big game tomorrow?

• A variety of tech companies, products and services are once again in the mix for Super Bowl commercials, trotting out Hollywood stars to pitch everything from home internet to food delivery. Watch the ads here.

Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend. — GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com.