Seattle's tech industry blues episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 17, 2026 · 20 MIN

Seattle's tech industry blues

from Make Me Smart · host Marketplace

Recently, Seattle’s tech workforce has been hit by wave after wave of layoffs. Some company execs say it’s AI’s fault. KUOW’s Monica Nickelsburg joins Kimberly on today’s show to share what she’s hearing from tech workers. And, we’ll get into another side of the AI boom: the push to build more data centers and the pushback from locals. Plus, a round of Seattle trivia!Here’s everything we talked about today:"Booming" from KUOWWhy Seattle tech companies are still laying off workers from The Seattle Times"From coder to shuttle driver: Where Seattle's laid off tech workforce is now" from KUOW"A small town in Central Washington is Microsoft's answer to the data center backlash" from KUOW"What produce prompted the creation of the Market?" from the Pike Place Market Foundation"Seattle doesn't have many unicorns. Does it matter?" From GeekWire"Scents from a Mall: The Sticky, Untold Story of Cinnabon" from Seattle Met"Seattle area expected to generate $845 million from FIFA World Cup" from Fox 13 SeattleWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

NOW PLAYING

Seattle's tech industry blues

0:00 20:10

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Eat to Live Jenna Fuhrman, Dr. Fuhrman Our health is our most precious gift and smart nutrition can change your life. Each month, join Dr. Fuhrman and his daughter, Jenna Fuhrman as they discuss important topics in the world of nutrition. Eat to Live will change the way you eat and think about food. The Field Priest Methodius Chwastek The Field is a place of cultivation and of battle. In the Church, we learn to cultivate a life pleasing to God. This life is shaped in the spiritual battle. This series examines, chapter by chapter, the Christian classic The Field, by Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov. Please join me as I explain this great work in terms the modern Orthodox Christian can understand.  PodSights Health & Wellness podsights.ai Transform your wellbeing journey. Get trusted, evidence-based answers to your health, fitness, and mental wellness questions. Make informed decisions about your health. Visit podsights.ai to create your own wellness podcast. Leading From All Sides Abbie Mirata Discover the various styles of leadership, from leading at the forefront to steering from behind, rising to the top or empowering from the bottom. We'll explore horizontal and vertical leadership, leading through your brand, and even leading in your most intimate relationships. Join me in engaging conversations with special guests who are leaders in their careers, communities, and families. Gain insights, perspectives, and invaluable lessons that challenge traditional notions of what it means to lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Make Me Smart?

This episode is 20 minutes long.

When was this Make Me Smart episode published?

This episode was published on April 17, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Recently, Seattle’s tech workforce has been hit by wave after wave of layoffs. Some company execs say it’s AI’s fault. KUOW’s Monica Nickelsburg joins Kimberly on today’s show to share what she’s hearing from tech workers. And, we’ll get into...

Can I download this Make Me Smart episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!