Amazon exec explains grocery changes, debunks reports about human reviewers

Longtime Microsoft exec joins Qualtrics | Former Moz leader takes new CEO role | WTIA names board chair ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: Science Firsthand: [Learn how Bristol Myers Squibb unlocked the potential of CAR T cell therapy.]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES Amazon's grocery changes, explained: The tech giant says it’s developing a new generation of its Dash Carts that improve the user experience, as it rolls out the smart grocery carts to more of its own stores and, for the first time, to third-party retailers. - Amazon is still investing in its Just Walk Out cashier-less technology in smaller stores, even as it removes the infrastructure from its large grocery stores. - And contrary to published reports, Just Walk Out is powered by AI, not people in India watching through cameras to tally up every shopper’s bill. Those are the takeaways from Amazon exec Dilip Kumar (above) in an interview with GeekWire and a post from Amazon seeking to set the record straight about its grocery tech. [Read more](. Tech Moves: - Sarah Bird (above, right), former CEO of Moz, is now CEO at Canvas, a software company that builds technology for remodeling, architecture and interior design. [Read more.]( - The Washington Technology Industry Association named Kristen Forecki (above, left) as its new board chair. Forecki is a senior director at Microsoft who previously worked for Convoy, Rover, and Amazon. [Read more](. - Longtime Microsoft executive Gurdeep Singh Pall is joining experience management technology company Qualtrics as its first president of artificial intelligence strategy. He’s the latest former Microsoft leader to resurface in an AI-related role at another company. [Read more](. “We want to end this project.” Google and Amazon employees joined a protest in Seattle and other tech hubs Tuesday, demonstrating their opposition to a cloud computing contract called Project Nimbus that the companies signed with the Israeli government three years ago. [Read more](. Amazon, Microsoft, and a number of climate startups are among a group of businesses supporting a campaign to defeat a November ballot initiative that would scuttle Washington state's most impactful climate policy. [Read more](. Hot Links: - Seattle tech investor T.A. McCann shared advice on doing side projects — which sometimes turn into entrepreneurial pursuits. ([T.A. McCann]( - Blake Resnick, CEO of Seattle drone maker Brinc, is quoted in a story about the U.S. drone industry and the war in Ukraine. ([Wall Street Journal]( - The Daily Beast is hiring for a new role: Senior Lauren Sanchez Correspondent. ([Axios]( 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. SPONSOR MESSAGE [Translating the promise of cell therapy]( The story of how CAR T cell therapy went from hypothesis to treatment embodies the challenges and perseverance often synonymous with breakthroughs. Bristol Myers Squibb’s newest episode of Science Firsthand is focused on pivotal moments in the history of CAR T cell therapy that took place right in the heart of Seattle – and new cutting-edge approaches being explored. [Watch the episode here.]( LATEST HEADLINES [Amazon and Microsoft back effort to defeat initiative that would defund Washington state climate efforts]( [Former Moz CEO Sarah Bird is new CEO at Canvas, creators of home 3D modeling tech]( [Digital ad content generator and testing service Validated raises more cash]( [Amazon exec explains grocery tech changes, debunks media reports about human reviewers]( [Longtime Microsoft exec Gurdeep Singh Pall joins Qualtrics as president of AI strategy]( [Washington Technology Industry Association names Kristen Forecki as new board chair]( [Google and Amazon workers protest tech giants’ contract with Israel as war in Gaza continues]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [GeekWork: ML Engineer]( - [City of Newport: Systems Administrator II]( - [AdaptX: Vice President of Engineering]( - [GeekWork: Head of Engineering]( - [INRIX: Finance Pricing Manager]( [FIND MORE JOBS ON GEEKWORK]( [HIRING? BUY A FEATURED LISTING TO APPEAR HERE]( [About GeekWire]( [Contact Us]( [Advertise]( Copyright © 2024 GeekWire LLC, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted to receive emails from GeekWire LLC.  Our mailing address is: GeekWire LLC 123 NW 36th St, Suite 203 Seattle, WA 98107  [change email frequency or address]( | [unsubscribe](