Steve Ballmer explains why he's still Microsoft's biggest investor

Microsoft revealed a new AI-powered personal assistant for Xbox called Copilot for Gaming, billed as a way to keep track of progress in a game, offer tips or advice on gameplay, or keep a player advised on downloads or what their friends are doing. Read more.

Breakthrough Energy, the climate-focused global initiative created by Bill Gates, is cutting dozens of staff amid a change in policy direction from the Trump administration. A spokesperson said Gates remains as committed as ever to advancing clean energy innovations. Read more.

Ignore the noise around artificial general intelligence and focus on building products that provide value for customers in today’s world. That was the message to startup founders from VCs at an event celebrating the opening of two new Seattle-area accelerator programs run by Plug and Play. Read more.

Protecting kids from the potentially harmful effects of social media is the goal of a bill passed by the Washington state Senate. The legislation puts limits on how the makers of Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and others can target young people. Read more.

Let’s be clear — a total lunar eclipse should be visible tonight, if the skies cooperate. For the first time since 2022, the moon will take on a reddish glow, and depending on location, North Americans should have great seats for the show. (Cosmic Log) 

Hot Links:

• The FTC, under President Trump’s new chair, is moving forward with its antitrust probe of Microsoft. (Bloomberg) 

• Seattle trails only New York City when it comes to postings for jobs that require AI skills. (Axios)

• Downtown Seattle’s Rainier Club added a co-working space that’s open to members and guests in a bid to attract a younger crowd. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Thanks for subscribing to the GeekWire newsletter, and have a great day. — GeekWire editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com; GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop, todd@geekwire.com; and GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com.