Seattle’s More Pragmatic—And Quieter—AI Boom

As someone who grew up in Seattle, then spent several years in San Francisco, I’ve gotten a good feel for the two cities’ tech scenes and how they differ. Those differences are more clear than ever as the generative artificial intelligence boom reverberates through both tech hubs.

In San Francisco, techies have been pumping their chest about AI, spending days attending “Cerebral Valley” events and nights partying at AI hacker houses. In Seattle, the vibe is more work, less play. Locals say that’s characteristic of the city’s resident tech workers, who are more pragmatic—a trait often instilled in them navigating bureaucratic Seattle mainstays Microsoft and Amazon—and less interested in showboating, even when they ought to.