Convenience Big Store: The debate over data centers | Spokane startup raises cash to help fight fires

SPONSOR MESSAGE: Explore the move from simple automation to autonomous innovation: Join GeekWire for Agents of Transformation: Inside the AI Shift, presented by Accenture.

TODAY'S TOP STORIES

AI is fueling a massive data center buildout — and Washington state wants new guardrails. A bill advancing in Olympia would require large facilities to cover their power costs and disclose detailed data on energy and water use amid growing concern about electricity demand and rising utility bills. Read more.

How Expedia is using AI: The Seattle-based travel giant is “experimenting aggressively” to test new ways to reach travelers — and also seeing benefits from rolling out AI inside its own business. Read more.

Spokane startup heats up with new funding: Blaze Barrier closed a $760,000 seed round for its wildfire-fighting system, which can be deployed quickly by firefighters or homeowners as a way to slow or contain a brush fire. Read more.

Anti-microchip bill advances: A Washington state bill that would ban employers from requiring or pressuring workers to be microchipped passed in the House of Representatives. The legislation aims to protect worker privacy and bodily autonomy, and would make Washington the 14th state to enact such a law.

Help select 2026 GeekWire Awards nominees: It’s time to recognize outstanding tech entrepreneurs, innovators, deal makers and nonprofit leaders across the Pacific Northwest. Our annual event returns to Showbox SoDo in Seattle, May 7. Learn more, and submit a nomination today!

Hot Links:

The backlash around Amazon-owned Ring, its Super Bowl ad for “Search Party,” and the surveillance state. (The Verge)
Microsoft CVP Omar Shahine lays out how he used OpenClaw to build a personal AI assistant for his family. (OmarKnows AI)

Thanks for subscribing to the GeekWire newsletter and have a great week. — GeekWire editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com; and reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com.

SPONSOR MESSAGE

Private ski-in/ski-out alpine retreat near Leavenworth

Mountain Club at Alpine Lakes offers 200+ acres of private, tow and snowcat accessed skiing with direct Chiwaukum backcountry access and 450+ inches of annual snowfall. Fractional Ownership from $499k; Whole Ownership from $1.8M. Four-season adventure, no lift lines. Brand-new luxury model cabin and ski runs are now complete and available for tours.