Amazon workers are back — and so is Seattle traffic

Amazon’s return-to-office mandate also means the return of Seattle traffic. Data from transportation analytics provider Inrix shows average commute speeds into the city dropping by as much as 35% since the tech giant’s policy went into effect. Data from the ground also shows an increase in foot traffic. Read more.

Microsoft offered a blueprint for governing artificial intelligence, calling for such things as “safety brakes” for AI systems that control critical infrastructure and ensure human oversight and accountability. “We do need new law in this space,” Microsoft President Brad Smith said, adding that a U.S. agency and licensing should be instituted. Read more.

Microsoft warned that Chinese hackers are targeting critical U.S. infrastructure with “stealthy and targeted malicious activity.” The campaign, dubbed “Volt Typhoon,” has been active since mid-2021 and is focused on a variety of sectors. Read more.

Tech Moves: Amazon names new workplace safety leader; Zscaler hires Seattle tech vet as CTO; and more key personnel changes. 

Seattle-area studios Bungie and Firewalk revealed their next big video game projects under the umbrella of Sony during a PlayStation Showcase. Bungie is bringing back “Marathon,” one of its first franchises, and it will also release on PC and Xbox Series X|S. Read more.

Can AI strike a chord with an opera singer? Robert “The Drunken Tenor” McPherson (above) took the stage at the GeekWire Awards to sing as the human embodiment of ChatGPT. He used the program for inspiration on lyrics, but relied on his human creativity to make it all work. Read more.

Hot links:

• Microsoft “swallowed its pride” before ramping up its partnership with OpenAI. (The Information)

• South Seattle College opened a new technology center to prepare students for jobs in the automotive industry. (West Seattle Blog)

• Virgin Galactic flew six people on its suborbital spaceplane to the edge of space for the first time since Richard Branson took flight two years ago. (The Washington Post)

Thanks for subscribing to the GeekWire newsletter, and have a great day. —  GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com; and GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com.