What we learned about Microsoft in the OpenAI trial, and is Seattle squandering its edge?

About this episode

The episode discusses insights from the Microsoft and OpenAI trial and debates Seattle's status as an innovation hub.

This week: As the Musk v. OpenAI trial heads to the jury, we dig into what Microsoft's internal board memos and executive testimony revealed about the origins of the company's massive bet on AI, and why this case matters beyond the billionaire drama. Plus, Howard Schultz, a former Washington governor, and the tech community weigh in on whether Seattle is squandering its edge as an innovation capital. And Todd owes John and the United Kingdom an apology. RELATED STORIES AND LINKS Microsoft's CTO testifies about email at the heart of Elon Musk's allegations against the tech giant OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's stake in Helion Energy draws scrutiny in Musk trial and on Capitol Hill 'Strong, strong no': New filing reveals who Microsoft favored — and opposed — for OpenAI's board Musk v. Altman: Satya Nadella was worried about Microsoft being 'the next IBM' in OpenAI deal Are we on a Road to Nowhere? Seattle's growth masks deeper anxieties about its future Microsoft's multi-agent AI system tops Anthropic's Mythos on cybersecurity benchmark Seattle Turns Hostile to the Great Businesses It Made (Wall Street Journal, by Howard Schultz) Association of Washington Business 2026 Spring…

People in this episode

Hosts: Todd Bishop, John Cook

Topics covered

• Microsoft
• OpenAI trial
• AI technology
• Seattle innovation
• Howard Schultz
• Musk v. OpenAI

Keywords

• Microsoft
• OpenAI
• AI
• Seattle
• Howard Schultz
• Musk trial
• innovation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: OpenAI, Microsoft, Helion Energy, Wall Street Journal

Places: Seattle, United Kingdom

More episodes of GeekWire

• Microsoft Build decoded: Solara, Scout, AI models, GitHub’s woes and more with Mary Jo Foley · June 6, 2026 · 43 min
• Zuckerberg's yacht, Meta's layoffs, a robot pizza flameout, and a reality check on AI expenses · May 30, 2026 · 29 min
• 'Lean Startup' author Eric Ries calls for a shift to 'mission primacy' in new book 'Incorruptible' · May 28, 2026 · 18 min
• SpaceX IPO filing reveals Starlink's impact, Bezos sounds off on CNBC, and Gemini owes John a beer · May 23, 2026 · 51 min
• AI is not your strategy: Author and business advisor Brian Evergreen explains why vision comes first · May 21, 2026 · 24 min
• Inside the 2026 GeekWire Awards: Innovators reshaping how we work, build, and learn · May 9, 2026 · 49 min