Living and working across Europe, I've always admired Seattle's reputation as a technology hub, bustling with innovation and home to massive powerhouses like Microsoft and Amazon. So, when a viral blog post declared that "everyone in Seattle hates AI," my first reaction was disbelief. How could a city with such a dense concentration of engineering talent and global influence reject the very foundation of modern technological advancements? I dug deeper, and what I found offered a nuanced perspective that other global tech ecosystems might learn from.
The Debate Sparked by the Blog Post
The blog, penned by Jonathon Ready, a former Microsoft engineer, painted a picture of a city skeptical, if not outright hostile, towards artificial intelligence. His words struck a chord as they passed through Seattle's tech community, gaining traction on platforms like LinkedIn and Hacker News. The post wasn't a light commentary; it criticized Seattle's tech environment for fostering a culture resistant to AI, fueled by corporate burnout, workplace skepticism, and a distrust of tools seen as "top-down solutions" enforced by big tech companies.
For context, Ready had felt this unease firsthand, describing scenarios where talking about AI drew instant suspicion. His examples, such as engineers losing confidence in AI after it became tangled with post-layoff pressures and overhyped corporate rollouts like Copilot 365, resonated with some who claimed Seattle was fostering a "learned helplessness" about AI adoption.
Understanding the Cultural Layer
Upon exploring other viewpoints, the sentiment wasn’t universal. Marcelo Calbucci, a Seattle-based veteran of the tech scene, argued that what looks like a geographic issue is really a cultural chasm. He highlighted the contrast between employees disillusioned by corporate tech giants and a flourishing startup ecosystem bubbling with optimism. According to Marcelo, there’s a significant difference when you step into a founder’s shoes in Seattle, they’re energized, ready to tackle big AI problems, and excited about attracting investors.
Ryan Brush, from Salesforce, took a longer historical perspective, suggesting the city’s anti-authority stance is key to understanding this dynamic. From grunge music’s defiance of the mainstream to 1999’s WTO protests, Seattle has embraced a culture of questioning power, especially when new advancements seem to benefit corporations more than individuals.
Numbers Tell A Different Story
Is this skepticism unique to Seattle, though? Not quite. According to data published last year, 23% of the United States' AI engineers worked in Seattle, making it one of the leading centers for artificial intelligence development. With institutions like the University of Washington driving cutting-edge research and organizations like the Allen Institute for AI tackling planetary challenges, the city holds immense talent and potential. Yet, this contradiction between its AI capability and hesitance faced by individuals like Ready paints a layered picture.
Globally, startups working with AI tools report increased investment interest, but in Seattle, this encouragement splits: while founders are optimistic about their systems, Big Tech workers battle burnout and disillusionment. Despite the high ranking in talent concentration, this trust gap matters because it's seeping into the perception that the city leans away from AI rather than forward.
The Biggest Mistakes Driving This Sentiment
Looking at the debate through my European entrepreneur lens, I would argue there are a few key areas Seattle might reconsider:
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Forcing Adoption Without Grassroots Engagement
AI needs buy-in from technical contributors. Mandatory usage of products like Copilot, often cited in these discussions, fosters resentment. Encouragement and optionality would help engineers feel empowered, not coerced. -
Corporate Burnout Feeds Negativity
Layoffs coupled with AI's introduction as a supposed solution stoke competitive tension rather than collaboration. Workers, if given tools alongside continuing education, could feel supported instead of displaced. -
Ignoring the Power of Subculture Advocacy
With its progressive and artistic tendencies, Seattle would benefit from AI rollout campaigns fitting into its ethos. Perceived corporate overreach alienates tech workers who care about sustainability and ethical questions around algorithms. -
Undervaluing Local Founders’ Optimism
Ignoring the vibrant startup energy in Seattle undermines the reality that small companies are innovating, sometimes more successfully than legacy corporations. These founders are leading by example but have little visibility to reframe the discussion.
How Seattle Can Lead in AI Differently
If I compare this discussion to cities in Europe like Amsterdam or Berlin, one clear distinction is how communities address tech ethics and collaboration with local governance. Dutch startups, for instance, often partner with academic institutions early on, aligning on long-term societal goals while addressing public concern about technology misuse. The European Union’s emphasis on transparency forces startups to build trust within highly regulated ethical environments.
Seattle could embrace a similar approach by organizing more open dialogues, involving not just tech insiders but educators, artists, and civic planners. Events around public-facing AI applications, highlighted with examples of ethical implementation, might bring skeptics closer to advocates. The bipartisan tech skepticism visible in Ryan Brush’s historical context becomes a strength if directly acknowledged.
Investors in Seattle also need to deploy funds thoughtfully. Supporting diverse AI applications, rather than pour resources into corporatized iterations, could build confidence that AI spans beyond enhancing productivity tools like Copilot or Alexa.
Conclusion: What This Means for the Global AI Movement
Jonathon Ready’s viral post opened Pandora’s box, but it’s sparked useful reflection, not just outrage. I'm reminded of a comment from Trey Causey, an AI ethics specialist, who said Seattle's discontent wasn’t absolute. He still sees active AI communities, thriving tinkering groups, and people hungry to improve upon AI limitations. That’s the reality we must focus on.
Worldwide, the future of AI hinges less on technical capabilities and more on trust, equity, and where these tools intersect society. Seattle’s reaction to AI isn’t a rejection of innovation; it’s a call for smarter, more inclusive development. Entrepreneurs here and abroad must listen.
FAQ
1. Did a viral blog claim that everyone in Seattle hates AI?
Yes, Jonathon Ready, a former Microsoft engineer, published a viral blog claiming that Seattle is hostile toward AI due to burnout, forced AI adoption, and skepticism within the tech culture. Read Jonathon Ready's blog post
2. Why does Jonathon Ready believe Seattle dislikes AI?
Ready attributes the sentiment to corporate burnout, layoffs tied to AI justifications, and mandatory adoption of tools like Copilot. He mentioned these factors create resentment and distrust among engineers in Seattle. Explore more insights in the viral thread
3. Is this skepticism limited to Big Tech employees in Seattle?
Not entirely. While Big Tech workers show signs of AI exhaustion, Seattle founders and startups maintain optimism and actively work on AI innovations, marking a divide in perspectives. Learn more about the startup perspective from Marcelo Calbucci
4. How does Seattle’s cultural history influence its view on AI?
Seattle has a longstanding culture of questioning authority, from the grunge movement to protests like the 1999 WTO demonstrations. This anti-authority stance often manifests in skepticism toward technologies like AI. Dive into Ryan Brush’s perspective
5. How prominent is AI development in Seattle?
Seattle accounts for 23% of the United States' AI engineers, hosting world-class institutions like the Allen Institute for AI and the University of Washington driving cutting-edge research. Discover the Allen Institute’s AI advancements
6. What challenges contribute to AI hesitation in Seattle?
Forced AI adoption without engagement, corporate burnout, and a lack of alignment with local subcultures lead to hesitation. Combining these issues creates resistance to AI within the corporate tech sphere. Read about workforce challenges tied to AI implementations
7. Are there thriving AI communities and startups in Seattle?
Yes, Seattle hosts vibrant AI communities like AI Tinkerers and AICamp, along with startups innovating in the AI space. These groups actively work on advancing AI despite skepticism from larger corporations.
8. How are layoffs linked to the perception of AI in Seattle?
Layoffs at companies like Microsoft have been partially justified by AI-driven efficiencies. This association creates a perception that AI benefits corporations at the expense of workers. Explore the corporate layoff-AI dynamic
9. How can Seattle improve its relationship with AI?
Experts suggest increasing buy-in through grassroots engagement, ethical AI campaigns, and transparent collaborations with academic and cultural institutions. Read how the EU handles ethical AI rollouts
10. Is Seattle really anti-AI, or is this exaggerated?
No, Seattle isn’t completely anti-AI. While sentiments of skepticism and burnout exist, there are also active AI communities, thriving startups, and optimistic ecosystems in the city. Explore Trey Causey’s perspective
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.