Robots, AI, and the future of labor | FTC keeps fighting Microsoft-Activision deal

Happy weekend. Amazon is testing a new partnership with Petco, Seattle has a new “creative economy” manager, and we discuss how general-purpose humanoid robots could impact the workforce. 

Robots in the workforce are a technological and economic opportunity “way bigger than the steam engine.” That’s the assessment of Geordie Rose, CEO and co-founder of Vancouver, B.C.-based Sanctuary AI, which makes a 5-foot, 7-inch general-purpose humanoid robot called Phoenix (above), powered by an AI system called Carbon. He says tech advances and declining human populations are poised to dramatically reshape the labor market.

Rose joins us on a new episode of the GeekWire Podcast to talk about those long-term trends, the capabilities and limitations of Sanctuary AI’s Phoenix robot in its current form, the company’s overall approach, and the challenges ahead.

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Amazon expands returns drop-off footprint: The Seattle e-commerce giant is partnering with Petco to offer customers more places to return products. It has similar deals with Kohl’s and Staples. Read more. 

Looking to boost Seattle’s creative economy: James Miles was recently named the new creative economy manager for Seattle's Office of Economic Development. He thinks arts and culture and tech can combine to get people excited about coming downtown. Read more.

Hot Links:

• FTC keeps fighting against Microsoft-Activision deal: The Federal Trade Commission is not giving up its legal battle as the $69 billion deal completed this week. (Reuters)

• Microsoft has spent more than $170 billion on acquisitions since Satya Nadella became CEO, helping triple its revenue. (Wall Street Journal)

• Buggy IT upgrade: The University of Washington replaced aging systems with cloud-based software from Workday — and it’s not going well. (Seattle Times, subscription required)