Convenience Big Store: GeekWire's Most-Read Stories of the Week

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THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES

The surprising way Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella uses AI to consume podcasts on his commute

Satya Nadella is a fan of multimodal AI interfaces — the ability to interact with a chatbot not just through text but through voice, for example — so much so that it has completely changed the way he "listens" to podcasts.

How Google’s $32B deal to buy Wiz redefines the cloud security industry

Editor’s note: A version of this post originally appeared on LinkedIn.

Longtime Microsoft HR chief Kathleen Hogan shifts to corporate strategy role for CEO Satya Nadella

Microsoft named Kathleen Hogan, its longtime chief people officer, to the new role of executive vice president of strategy and transformation, reporting to CEO Satya Nadella.

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Seattle startup Gradial raises $13M for AI marketing tech that automates content operations

Gradial, a Seattle startup that uses AI agents to help marketing operations teams increase productivity, raised $13 million in new funding, the company announced Monday.

Pacific Science Center tries to survive as it plans makerspace expansion, eyes real estate deal

Struggling Pacific Science Center envisions a new hands-on main attraction, explores real estate deal in bid to stay afloat.

Why startups should pay attention to ‘vibe coding’ — and approach with caution

There’s a trendy new term going around startup circles that is sparking questions about how AI coding tools could change the way early stage tech companies are built.

Microsoft president: Proposed Washington state business taxes would weaken tech sector

Microsoft President Brad Smith warned that new tax proposals from Washington lawmakers would do “lasting damage” to the tech sector in the company’s home state.

Human-level AI is just a few ‘miracles’ away, Microsoft pioneer Nathan Myhrvold says

Will artificial intelligence ever catch up with human intelligence? Intellectual Ventures CEO Nathan Myhrvold has an answer at the ready.

This Seattle-area startup just raised $600K to capture carbon and turn it into graphite

Sustainable tech startup Homeostasis is capturing CO₂ gas and transforming into a highly desired carbon called graphite that's used for clean power.

As Madrona turns 30, longtime Seattle firm keeps investing in its backyard — and beyond

When four friends got together in 1995 to launch Madrona Investment Group, the internet was just getting started.

Trump praises Bezos for changes at Washington Post: ‘He’s trying to do a real job’

The recent changes Jeff Bezos has instituted at The Washington Post have captured the attention of President Donald Trump, who praised the newspaper owner’s efforts.

Proposed law to rein in Uber and Lyft surge pricing stalls in Washington state

Washington state lawmakers have abandoned an unusual strategy to limit the cost of ride-hailing fares during the largest public events.

Microsoft@50 recap: Company faithful mark first 50 years and look to future at GeekWire event

GeekWire hosted hundreds of longtime Microsoft employees, key executives, company faithful and tech community members Thursday night in Seattle at Microsoft@50, a GeekWire event to mark the company's 50th anniversary.

Flexport sues Freightmate, alleges that founders stole trade secrets to launch Seattle-area startup

A new lawsuit filed by logistics giant Flexport alleges that two of its former employees stole thousands of confidential files before leaving and launching their own Seattle-area startup.

Portal Space Systems opens its doors for a sneak preview of solar propulsion system

Bothell, Wash.-based Portal Space Systems shows off the lab where its solar thermal propulsion system will be developed.