‘We love you guys’: Satya Nadella makes surprise appearance at OpenAI dev day

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made a surprise appearance on Monday at OpenAI’s developer event in San Francisco. OpenAI partners closely with Microsoft, which is a major investor in the company. “We love you guys,” Nadella told OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on stage, saying the company’s partnership “requires us to be on the top of our game.” 

• OpenAI announced a new way for individual ChatGPT users to create customized versions of its popular AI chatbot, personalized for their own use and for sharing with others. Read more and stay tuned for more from GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop, who is reporting from the event. 

Amazon mum on upcoming Seattle elections: The tech giant poured nearly $1.5 million into the last Seattle City Council election in a bid to sway voters in its hometown and elect candidates viewed as more business friendly. It turned out to be a PR disaster. This year, Amazon is working from a different playbook. Read more. 

• Ballots for the November General Election are due tomorrow. Check out voter guides from Axios and Crosscut. 

Amazon Web Services is reorganizing its Sales, Marketing, and Global Services group, according to an internal company memo. The goal is to improve the customer experience and “lay the foundation for accelerated customer impact and growth in the years ahead.” Read the memo. 

Building and investing in AI startups: John Stanton, founding partner of Seattle-area venture capital firm Trilogy Equity Partners, offered insight and advice for entrepreneurs and investors at an event last week, drawing from decades of his experience as a business leader and wireless industry pioneer. Stanton (above, left) was interviewed at Pioneer Square Labs by Leslie Feinzaig, founder and general partner of Graham & Walker. Read more. 

“People move because of their families and because of jobs.” Washington Sen. Noel Frame, who sponsored a wealth tax bill this year, doesn’t buy the narrative that wealthy people relocate due to tax policy. We spoke with Frame following Jeff Bezos’ announcement last week that he’s moving to Miami. Read the story. 

Sledding into the holiday ad season: Amazon unveiled “Joy Ride,” a commercial that’s meant as a love letter to lasting friendships and joyful moments, no matter the age. Watch the ad.