Code.org CEO on the impact of AI on teaching computer science | Comic Con photos

Seattle-based nonprofit Code.org just turned 10 years old. GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser spoke with Code.org co-founder and CEO Hadi Partovi about the journey so far and the impact of AI on teaching computer science.

• Partovi’s fondest memories include getting a president and a pope to write one line of code, and seeing teachers embrace computer science education.

• With 80 million students and 2 million teachers on the education platform, Partovi is looking ahead to the next 10 years and continued growth. He’s pushing for all states to require computer science as a requirement for high school graduation. 

• The former Microsoft manager views the rise of artificial intelligence and generative AI not as a threat to human coders and education as we know it, but as the next “superpower” for computer scientists to harness. Read the Q&A. (Above, the Code.org leadership team in 2013, from left: Michelle Page, Cameron Wilson, Hadi Partovi, Ali Partovi, James Gwertzman and Pat Yongpradit.)

University of Washington students developing a potential test for endometriosis took home the top prize at the 8th annual UW Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge.

• The competition gives students the chance to make connections and win funding that could help develop their school projects into startups. Read about the winning teams. (Above, grand prize winners from the Endozene team.)

If Seattle needs a hero to help its downtown emerge from a pandemic-induced funk, that person might just be wandering around Emerald City Comic Con this weekend.

• We stopped by the new Seattle Convention Center building to check out the impressive cosplay. Geeks dressed as figures from movies, television, comics, video games and more. See the photos. 

This week Amazon said it would close eight Amazon Go convenience stores and delay construction on the second phase of its massive HQ2 headquarters project. 

• ​​The Amazon Go closures mark the latest move by the tech giant to pull back on some of its brick-and-mortar retail operations.

• The decision to pause construction at HQ2 comes as Amazon navigates its hybrid work policies.

Microsoft is partnering with a fiber-cable connectivity venture called Liquid Intelligent Technologies to bring high-speed internet access to an additional 20 million people in Africa by 2025.

• The collaboration is part of Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, which aims to help extend broadband coverage to 250 million people living in unserved and underserved areas of the world, including 100 million people in Africa. Read more. 

Seattle-based company Rover is expanding beyond its pet sitting marketplace with a new line of consumer products.

• The initial Rover Gear products include a no-pull dog harness, a padded leash, and “Bag Buddy” — a patent-pending hands-free carrier for dog poop bags. Read more.