How six computer science seniors won their first hackathon | More Zulily layoffs

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This special series explores the evolving relationship between humans and machines, examining the ways that robots, AI and automation are impacting our work and lives: [Read more.]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES A team of six Seattle University computer science students made it nearly to the middle of their senior years without competing in a hackathon — a staple of the startup world derailed by the pandemic. - That changed earlier this month when they joined 300 college students from the Seattle region at an event hosted at Amazon by transportation analytics company INRIX, in partnership with Amazon Web Services. - The team from Seattle U. used historical data about traffic, weather, and collisions in San Francisco to train a machine learning model that predicts likely accident hotspots in the city based on current conditions, producing a heat map to strategically position emergency personnel. And they won. [Read the story.]( Zulily lays off more employees: The online retailer emailed workers Wednesday notifying them it was their last day at the company. It’s the second round of cuts at Zulily in the past two weeks, and another sign of the company’s apparent shutdown. [Read more](. Kaspien shutting down: The publicly traded e-commerce company based in Spokane, Wash., and previously known as Etailz is laying off workers and closing, according to new filings. [Read more](. Wizards of the Coast is doubling down on its generative AI stance after questions about artwork in a new rulebook. “We work with some of the most talented artists and creatives in the world, and we believe those people are what makes D&D great,” the Renton, Wash.-based company said. [Read more](. AI Santa is ready to take your call: Seattle startup Fixie has created HiSanta.ai, an interactive tool that harnesses the company’s work on large language models and turns it into a fun way to share wish lists and find out if you’ve been naughty or nice. [Read more.]( “Customers don’t care about your AI.” That’s the take from Seattle venture capitalist Kirby Winfield, who says customers just want to know that you’re solving a problem and doing it 10 times better. Hear more from Winfield on [a new episode of the Shift AI Podcast](. Hot Links: - Microsoft is making more Xbox leadership changes as it takes over Activision Blizzard. ([The Verge]( - The top 10 phone scams of 2023 included phony bank and credit card calls, medical and tax hoaxes and Amazon impersonators. ([Hiya]( - As Microsoft chases technological advances in AI, the company is sharing its approach to protecting privacy along the way in products such as Copilot. ([Microsoft]( - A 3D virtual tour of Santa’s North Pole cabin now features an interactive floor plan generated by AI. ([Zillow]( - Vancouver, Wash.-based biotech company Absci is forming a strategic R&D partnership with PrecisionLife to develop new biotherapeutics. ([Absci]( - Bird, the micromobility company with shareable e-scooters and e-bikes on Seattle streets, filed for bankruptcy. ([TechCrunch]( Thanks for [subscribing]( to the GeekWire newsletter, and have a great day. — GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com; and GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com. SPONSOR MESSAGE [Yes, startups can afford health care!]( ALLtech helps growing technology companies recruit and retain top talent, with comprehensive, affordable health insurance and other employee benefits. Whether you have two employees or more than 100, we have a benefit plan to fit your needs. [Request a quote from ALLtech Benefits.]( LATEST HEADLINES [Zulily lays off more employees as website and app remain offline]( [These computer science seniors defied tradition to win the first hackathon they ever entered]( [Shift AI Podcast: AI investing in Seattle with Ascend’s Kirby Winfield]( [Wizards of the Coast doubles down on generative AI stance, says artists are ‘what makes D&D great’]( [Startup creates AI Santa, using its tech to facilitate believable voice calls for the naughty and nice]( [E-commerce company Kaspien, previously known as Etailz, is shutting down and laying off staff]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [Submittable: Director of Engineering]( - [City of Redlands: Network Engineer]( - [INRIX: Lead Software Engineer]( - [City of Redlands: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst]( - [City of Newport: Systems Administrator I or II]( - [INRIX: Lead Software Engineer, Big Data]( - [INRIX: Finance Pricing Manager]( - [City of Redlands: IT Security Analyst]( - [City of Newport: Systems Administrator I or II]( [FIND MORE JOBS ON GEEKWORK]( [HIRING? 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