Amazon discontinues Astro robot security guard for business, will focus on home robot

Amazon's robot security guard just lost its job. Amazon informed customers and employees Wednesday morning that it plans to discontinue its Astro for Business program, less than a year after launching the robot security guard for small- and medium-sized businesses. The decision will let Amazon focus on its home version of Astro, according to an internal email. Read more.

Jeff Bezos is selling more Amazon stock, unloading 25 million shares worth $5 billion. The sale comes as the tech giant’s stock hit an all-time high this week. Read more.

Yinhan Liu, a natural language processing expert who sold Seattle startup BirchAI earlier this year, is setting off on another entrepreneurial journey with LeyLine, a Seattle-based company building AI-powered production tools for creative professionals. Read more.

A new startup called PairUp wants to help companies streamline how knowledge — both documented and undocumented — is stored and shared across a company. PairUp’s chief product officer previously founded Seattle startup Pluto VR, and Seattle venture firm Graham & Walker is an investor. Read more. 

Hot Links:

• Microsoft agreed to a $14.4 million settlement with California’s Civil Rights Department over allegations of discrimination against employees on parental and disability leave, promising to prevent future abuses. (Yahoo News)

• Nintendo will not use generative AI in games, prioritizing unique experiences over technology, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa says. (CNET)

• Microsoft is laying off more workers, according to posts by impacted employees. (X)