Inside Project Solara: A team inside Microsoft has been quietly building a platform for devices that run AI agents instead of apps, based on Android instead of Windows. The first two concept devices, a desktop hub and a wearable badge, are headed to pilots with big-name businesses. The company announced the initiative at its Build conference this morning, and GeekWire got a sneak peek with technical fellow Stevie Bathiche (above) and team.
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From mapping to medicine: For two decades, the Allen Institute has worked to map and understand the human brain. Now, with a new $400 million initiative called the Brain Health Accelerator, the Seattle research organization founded by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is setting out to treat it — developing gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, ALS, and Lewy body dementia. Read more.
Code.org rebrands as CodeAI: The computer science education platform is leaning into its shift toward AI tools and courses for K-12 students. Hadi Partovi, co-founder of the 13-year-old nonprofit, said, “Nobody knows the jobs of the future, but a sure bet is that every job will involve AI.” Read more.
Fresh capital for Version One Ventures: The Vancouver, B.C.-based venture firm raised $108 million across two new funds and will maintain early stage focus on companies in Seattle and elsewhere chasing AI, deep tech and biology. Read more.
Melinda French Gates’ sports power play: The billionaire philanthropist isn’t buying the Seahawks, but she is joining the Seattle Kraken ownership group as a minority investor, calling herself “a big believer in the power of sports” who is excited to have a “deeper connection to the Seattle sports community.” Read more.
Tech Moves: Expedia names SVP in global advertising; a Microsoft AI technical lead departs for Uber; the CEO of the sustainable aviation startup ZeroAvia steps down; and more personnel changes.
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Amazon announced its four-day Prime Day shopping event is returning June 23-26, with early deals already available across a number of categories. (Amazon)
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Women hosts are projected to pull in the majority of Airbnb income during the FIFA World Cup tournament, with Seattle ranking second overall across North American host cities in shares of tournament-time bookings hosted by women. (Airbnb)
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From board games to robotics, University of Washington President Dr. Robert Jones has had a very busy first year. (YouTube)
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A Blue Origin rocket explosion last week spared fuel tanks and other key parts of the launch pad, the company announced today, though other infrastructure was destroyed. (AP)
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Bioscience companies can land up to $750,000 for relocating to Spokane in Eastern Washington. (Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane)
Thanks for subscribing, and have a great day. Feedback and news tips: [email protected]. — GeekWire editor Todd Bishop, [email protected]; reporter Kurt Schlosser, [email protected]; and reporter Lisa Stiffler, [email protected].
