Microsoft’s big bet on the AI economy | Amazon asks some employees to relocate

“With this AI comes more opportunity. In fact, if you look at the data that’s coming out, this is probably going to be the most profound shift as a percentage impact on GDP of technology.” 

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (above) was talking about the opportunity for partners when he gave that message this week, but as we discuss on a new episode of the GeekWire Podcast, those economics apply to Microsoft’s business in an even bigger way. 

• Microsoft staked its financial claim in the AI gold rush this week, announcing what one analyst called “eye popping” pricing for its upcoming Microsoft 365 Copilot, signaling confidence in what it’s seeing and hearing in early customer testing.

• Meanwhile, Microsoft cleared a major hurdle in its $69 billion Activision-Blizzard deal.

• It was perhaps the biggest week so far in one of the biggest years ever for Microsoft. But the company still faces major risks in employee morale and software security.

• Next up: Microsoft will report its quarterly earnings Tuesday. 

Read more and listen here, and subscribe to GeekWire in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Amazon is asking some workers to relocate to be able to work in person with others on their teams, doubling down on its efforts to bring employees back to the office.

• Decisions about who will need to relocate are being made at a department level, and the number of employees impacted isn't yet known, Bloomberg News reported. 

• Unless they can get an exception, the choice facing some employees is to relocate or resign, the Seattle Times reported, citing internal Slack messages.

• Employees who are asked to move will be given relocation benefits. Read more.

AI’s impact on art and creators: The legal and ethical implications around the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and generative AI tools are sure to impact companies, consumers and courtrooms in the coming years. A panel discussion this week, sponsored by the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine and the nonprofit Washington Lawyers for the Arts, considered concerns about ownership, misinformation, panic over new tech, and more. Read the key takeaways.