Ag-tech startup TerraClear raises $15 million for rock-picking solution

Two out of three elementary-age children believe that voice assistants such as Alexa and Siri “might have feelings or could make decisions for themselves,” according to one study, highlighting the need for AI literacy in schools. (University of Edinburgh, Live Science)

Have you voted yet in the GeekWire Awards? We’re looking for your input on categories such as Startup of the Year, CEO of the Year, Next Tech Titan and more before we honor the leading innovators and companies in Pacific Northwest technology. Community voting ends April 12. Read about the finalists and cast your vote. 

Making music can be as simple as playing with LEGOs. Soundry AI CEO Mark Buckler and team consider their text-to-sample generator to be the building blocks of sound and music creation. Learn about what the Seattle startup is working on at Y Combinator. Read more.

Hot Links:

• A Seattle middle school will pilot new surveillance software that notifies teachers if a student is using a district-issued laptop for things other than assigned work. (West Seattle Blog)

• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is launching a $19 million project aiming to boost college enrollment across Washington state. (The Seattle Times)

• Washington state’s Digital Equity Plan will receive $15.9 million from the Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve digital access across the state. (Department of Commerce)