How can startups differentiate in the new era of AI? | Seattle not banning TikTok

On a new episode of the GeekWire Podcast, we talk with business and technology veteran Pete Christothoulou, CEO of Seattle startup Xembly, which is developing AI-powered technology that replicates a chief of staff and executive assistant. We take a close look at Xembly as a case study for insights into how startups can differentiate themselves in this new era of AI. Listen and read more here, and subscribe to GeekWire in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

No TikTok ban for Seattle: New York City issued a directive this week banning TikTok from government-owned devices. Seattle officials tell GeekWire they don’t have plans to do the same. Read more. 

Zillow real estate lawsuit update: A judge dismissed antitrust claims filed against Zillow in 2021 by an Austin-based startup. Read more. 

Tech Moves: Absci’s legal chief to depart; Cajal Neuroscience added an exec; and more personnel changes. 

Hot Links

• “A tidal wave as big as the internet”: That’s how Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described AI in an interview with Bloomberg that also included OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. (Bloomberg Originals)

• New details on OceanGate: The Seattle-area company’s submersible disaster was “years in the making,” according to an author of a new book on deep-sea exploration. (Vanity Fair)

• How public companies talk about generative AI: Sabrina Wu and Vivek Ramaswami from Madrona Venture Group analyzed recent earnings calls for both software and non-software companies. (Aspiring for Intelligence)

• Is AI sexist? Seattle-based tech journalist Katherine Long used a new AI feature from Adobe Photoshop to generate content for a selfie — and the results were surprising, to say the least. (Katherine Long)