Expedia Group dismisses CTO and SVP, citing ‘violation of company policy’

Two key Expedia Group technology leaders have abruptly exited the company. CTO Rathi Murthy and SVP Sreenivas Rachamadugu “are no longer employed at Expedia Group,” a spokesperson for the Seattle-based online travel giant confirmed, calling it “the result of a violation of company policy.” The surprise exits come a few days after Expedia hosted its annual partner conference in Las Vegas. Read more.

“At the end of the day, it’s not technology that’s the problem. The problem is us.” This week’s GeekWire Podcast features an interview with author Loretta Napoleoni, author of “Technocapitalism: The Rise of the New Robber Barons and the Fight for the Common Good,” conducted by Ross Reynolds at Town Hall Seattle. Read more and listen here.

Microsoft’s gaming strategy looks to be taking another turn with reports that the company will bring the new "Call of Duty" game to its Game Pass subscription service. Read more.

Upcoming events: Tech and startup community gatherings on our radar next week in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

• May 18: Anime Impulse Seattle

• May 18: Generative AI Workshop and Hackathon on Google Gemini

• May 21: Microsoft Build

• May 21: Can We Talk: Boardroom Trends in 2024

• May 22: First Annual BRI Immunology Symposium

Check out the GeekWire Calendar for more.

Hot Links:

• Investors from Madrona on the proliferation of AI agents and the changing software landscape. (Aspiring for Intelligence)

• Startups have a few advantages in the AI race as they compete against larger incumbents, says Textio co-founder Kieran Snyder. (Hunter Walk)