Sam Altman’s ties to Helion under scrutiny amid report of energy deal talks

embly ends service, teases ‘new chapter’ | Startups target deepfakes ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: Register now for AWS re:Inforce: [Hear from AWS experts on all things cloud security in the generative AI era.]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES Helion Energy’s connection to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (above) is coming under new scrutiny. The companies are in talks for a deal in which the AI company “would buy vast quantities of electricity to provide power for data centers” from the Seattle-area fusion energy company, the Wall Street Journal reports. Altman has invested $375 million in Helion and is the company’s board chair. He has reportedly recused himself from the talks. [Read more](. Enterprise AI company Xembly abruptly discontinued its service, an AI assistant that handled tasks such as meeting notes and scheduling, but told users that it's working on a “new chapter” for the company. The Seattle-based startup, founded in 2020, has raised $20 million. CEO Pete Christothoulou tells GeekWire the company is still operational. [Read more](. Disrupting deepfakes is a new startup opportunity. Several new companies in Seattle are taking on one of the most pressing issues in tech: the growing problem of deepfakes and likeness issues driven by the rapid adoption of generative AI technology. [Read more](. Tech Moves: New CEO succeeds SheerID co-founder; Pinecone adds COO; legal vet joins Docusign as general counsel; [and more personnel changes.]( Hot Links: - Generative AI use among teens and young adults is not yet a daily habit, according to new data looking at how the new tech is being received. ([Axios]( - Amazon is using an AI model called “Project P.I.” (private investigator) in fulfillment centers to scan items for defects or other problems before they’re shipped to customers. ([Amazon]( - A former tech exec pleaded guilty to securities fraud in a bogus $4 billion bid to take over Seattle-based Getty Images. ([Reuters]( - Prime Video released a trailer for “Federer: Twelve Final Days,” a new documentary movie about the end of tennis great Roger Federer’s career. ([Amazon]( - In a big shakeup at the Jeff Bezos-owned Washington Post, executive editor Sally Buzbee stepped down and is being replaced by a former Wall Street Journal editor. ([The Washington Post]( - Portland State University received a $1 million grant to power a high-performance computing cluster across Oregon for research projects at universities and colleges. ([PSU]( Thanks for subscribing to the GeekWire newsletter, and have a great week. — GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop, todd@geekwire.com, and GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com. SPONSOR MESSAGE [Where AI meets humanity in healthcare: What’s next?Â]( Join us at Seattle University’s Ethics and Tech Conference on June 27. We will delve into the pivotal role of AI in healthcare, explore the ethical considerations of AI integration, and ensure that technological advancements serve humanity. Reserve your spot to engage with experts shaping the future of healthcare. [Register now.]( LATEST HEADLINES [These startups are tackling deepfake and digital likeness issues spurred by generative AI]( [Tech Moves: SheerID names new CEO; Pinecone adds COO; legal vet joins Docusign; and more]( [OpenAI reportedly in talks with Helion Energy to ‘buy vast quantities’ of fusion power]( [Enterprise AI company Xembly abruptly ends service for users, says it’s working on ‘new chapter’]( [Week in Review: Most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of May 26, 2024]( [Computer problem forces another delay for first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [BRINC: Territory Account Executive, PacNW]( - [INRIX: Account Executive, Public Sector]( - [BRINC: Senior/Principal Backend & Platform Software Engineer]( - [INRIX: Senior Accountant]( - [BRINC: Principal / Senior Software Test Engineer]( - [INRIX: Finance Pricing Manager]( - [BRINC: Senior Accounting/Financial Analyst]( [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](