Andy Jassy delivers big AI announcement at AWS re:Invent

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy returned to the AWS re:Invent stage on Tuesday morning, delivering one of the company’s biggest announcements of the day: a new set of AI foundation models called “Nova.” The models represent a big new step by the tech giant in its attempt to make its mark in AI. 

• In other news this morning at re:Invent, Benoit Dupin , Apple ’s senior director of machine learning and AI, made a surprise appearance and a high-profile endorsement for Amazon in its AI race against cloud rivals Microsoft and Google .
• GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop is on the ground in Las Vegas reporting on the latest news from the annual conference. Follow him on LinkedIn, and stay tuned for more coverage on GeekWire.com. 

A Seattle sushi restaurant is reopening two weeks after a TikTok food critic went viral with a video that some viewers said showed a worm moving in a piece of fish. FOB Sushi Bar closed locations in Belltown and Bellevue voluntarily to review its food safety standards. Read more.

A mom and son co-founder duo with ties to the University of Washington recently launched a startup called Viata that offers a new take on trip planning logistics.

“If you care about climate, get smart.” That’s the word from Mike Rea , a philanthropy expert who just unveiled ClimeOn , a new startup aiming to support individuals and families in addressing the climate crisis through impact investing and philanthropic giving.

Hot Links:

• The Washington Court of Appeals denied Meta ’s attempt to invalidate a key provision of the state’s campaign finance law, upholding a $35 million judgement against the social media giant. (Office of the Attorney General)
• Melinda French Gates ' organization Pivotal Ventures is matching up to $1 million of donations to Vote Mama Foundation and the Rosalynn Carter Institute of Caregivers from today, Giving Tuesday, until Dec. 13. (Every.org)
• Amazon is reaching out to news partners to help boost the next generation of its Alexa voice assistant. (Axios)
• Bill Gates released his annual holiday book picks, explaining that they naturally fell into a theme of making sense of the world in times of rapid change. (Gates Notes)

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