The Seattle community is leading by example during COVID-19, Seattle startups figure out what works while working from home, and more in this week’s Seattle in the Spotlight.

Publisher’s Notebook: It’s Time for Seattle to Lead by Example

Puget Sound Business Journal | Emily Parkhurst | March 19

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2020/03/19/parkhurst-its-time-for-seattle-to-lead-by-example.html

“This region’s business community is showing incredible leadership. We have an opportunity to export these ideas to the rest of the country, where many people are just now realizing how much this crisis is going to change their lives. If you want to share that message with the world, let us know. We are uniquely positioned to share thought leadership nationwide through our sister publications, which are hungry for information and best practices from Seattle businesses.”

A Virtual New World: Seattle Startups on What Works and What They Miss While Working from Home

GeekWire | Kurt Schlosser | March 18

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/virtual-new-world-seattle-startups-works-miss-working-home/

“Thousands of workers across tech and other industries who have the ability to do their jobs away from an office setting are experiencing a range of emotions during this extended period of self isolation and social distancing. GeekWire checked in with a few company representatives to get a sense of what’s been working, what technology scattered groups are leaning on and what they miss about not being in the office every day. The answers provide a snapshot of what we’re hearing from a wide range of workers.”

Washington State Passes Landmark Facial Recognition Bill, Reining in Government Use of AI

GeekWire | Monica Nickelsburg | March 13

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/washington-state-passes-landmark-facial-recognition-bill-reining-government-use-ai/

“The Washington state legislature passed a bill establishing new guardrails on government use of facial recognition software. The bill cleared both chambers of the state legislature Thursday, hours before the session ended, positioning Washington as one of the first states in the nation to regulate facial recognition, a key component in the larger legal debate over artificial intelligence. The bill now awaits Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature. The legislation requires public agencies to regularly report on their use of facial recognition technology and test the software for fairness and accuracy. Law enforcement agencies must obtain a warrant before using facial recognition technology in investigations unless there is an emergency.”