AI in Greater Seattle
- Aerospace
- Clean Tech
- IT
- Life Science
- Manufacturing
- Maritime
- Startups
From deep space to the ocean floor, AI paves the way for a sustainable future.
Seattle is emerging as a global leader in artificial intelligence with a market potential of up to $15.7 trillion by 2030. Anchored by pioneers like the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the University of Washington, as well as Amazon and Microsoft, the region’s dynamic AI ecosystem is revolutionizing industries from aerospace to maritime, cleantech, advanced manufacturing, IT, and life sciences. As the nation’s second-biggest AI job hotspot, Seattle is at the forefront of advancing decarbonization and creating sustainable solutions for the planet. Explore the companies and innovations shaping the future in Greater Seattle.
Strength in Numbers
Seattle is the nation's second-biggest new AI job hotspot (Axios, 2024), and among the nation's top 10 overall job markets (Wall Street Journal, 2024).
Billion
In funding over the last 10 years
AI Job Markets
Nation's biggest AI job hotspot
AI Companies
AI Startups
Here AI innovates every sector of the economy.
The Greater Seattle area is a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, driven by a unique convergence of major tech giants, cutting-edge research institutions, and a vibrant startup ecosystem. Home to top AI patent holders - Amazon and Microsoft, which collectively hold over 3,300 patents - the region is also a key base for other industry giants such as Apple, Google, and Meta. The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2) and its initiatives, including the AI House, serve as vital incubators for emerging AI startups, fostering collaboration and entrepreneurship.
The University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science, along with the Institute for Protein Design and the Baker Lab, is at the forefront of AI research, contributing to groundbreaking advancements that resonate globally.
Seattle's thriving AI startup scene is supported by robust investment, with companies like Protect AI, MotherDuck, Rhythms, Read AI and Dropzone AI attracting top funding in the last year. Innovation hubs and collaborative spaces across the region further amplify this momentum, making Greater Seattle a powerhouse in the AI landscape.
Map of Leading AI Companies Located in Greater Seattle
Harnessing AI for Social Good
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to revolutionize society by addressing some of its most pressing challenges. From improving healthcare through predictive analytics and personalized treatment plans to enhancing education with adaptive learning technologies, AI can significantly enhance the quality of life. Additionally, AI-driven solutions can help combat climate change by optimizing energy usage and predicting environmental changes. By harnessing the power of AI, we can create a more equitable, efficient, and sustainable world. The Greater Seattle region has leveraged AI innovation across our key sectors, and industry leaders have made an explicit commitment to societal good.
Microsoft’s Juan M. Lavista Ferres leads the “AI for Good” team, and wrote a book on the topic.
Amazon’s Alexa team has developed assistive and multi-sense technologies with an explicit focus on serving those with disabilities.
Seattle University emphasizes the need for thoughtful integration of AI to enhance student learning while maintaining academic integrity.
AI in Greater Seattle
Aerospace & AI
The Greater Seattle area is a hub for AI innovation in the aerospace industry with companies leveraging AI technologies to tackle complex challenges and drive advancements. Anduril Industries, who has a presence in Seattle, is developing AI-driven autonomous systems designed to enhance the capabilities of defense and aerospace operations, ensuring safer and more efficient missions. Airship AI, another Seattle-based innovator, harnesses AI-powered video processing and edge computing tools to provide aerospace companies with critical insights for security and operational efficiency. BlackSky, deeply rooted in Seattle, uses AI to analyze and interpret geospatial data from satellites, enabling government and commercial clients to make informed decisions with real-time intelligence. Amazon’s Project Kuiper, based in Kirkland, is revolutionizing global broadband access with its AI-integrated satellite production facility. These companies are part of a broader trend of integrating AI into aerospace to enhance efficiency, safety, and innovation.
Cleantech & AI
Greater Seattle is a hub for AI-driven clean technology with companies leading the charge in environmental sustainability. Carbon Robotics revolutionizes agriculture with autonomous weeder robots, while iUNU enhances indoor farm management using AI-powered computer vision. Recurrent leverages AI for battery health reports in electric vehicles, supporting their adoption. Modumetal uses AI to develop sustainable metal coatings that extend infrastructure lifespan. Electric Era Technologies optimizes charging stations with AI-controlled battery storage, and Energsoft offers advanced AI analytics for energy storage systems. Phaidra improves industrial facilities efficiency, and Cosmos Innovation develops high-efficiency solar cells. Many of these companies are finding themselves as top funded in 2024, like Phaidra, TerraClear, and Cosmos Innovation. These companies exemplify AI's role in driving sustainability in Greater Seattle and beyond.
AI for the Environment
In the Greater Seattle area, companies are harnessing the power of AI to drive decarbonization and accelerate sustainability, positioning the region as a leader in environmental innovation. When used ethically and responsibly, AI is an essential tool for advancing sustainability, offering the ability to deploy existing solutions and develop new ones faster, cheaper, and more effectively. Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, for example, focuses on advancing sustainability through AI-driven initiatives. Similarly, the Allen Institute for AI (AI2) is spearheading several projects that apply AI to environmental challenges. From EarthRanger, which aids in wildlife conservation, to Skylight, an AI tool combating illegal fishing, AI2 is leveraging technology for significant environmental impact. Projects like Wildlands and Climate Modeling are further advancing our understanding of ecosystems and informing strategies to mitigate climate change. By combining these AI-driven solutions with a commitment to ethical practices, the Greater Seattle region is leading the charge toward a sustainable future.
Life Science & AI
The Greater Seattle area is a leading hub for innovation in the life sciences and healthcare industries, driven by a strong integration of AI. At the forefront is the Baker Lab at the University of Washington where AI is revolutionizing protein design and drug development, spawning over 10 startups. The region is also home to pioneering companies like Adaptive Biotechnologies, which uses AI to decode the immune system, and Curi Bio, which enhances drug response predictions with AI-driven stem cell models. Healthcare institutions like Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Swedish are employing AI to improve patient care through predictive analytics, robotic surgery, and precision medicine. This vibrant ecosystem of academic research, startup innovation, and healthcare applications positions Seattle as a global leader in the convergence of AI and life sciences.
Manufacturing & AI
Greater Seattle is home to several advanced manufacturing companies that are harnessing AI to revolutionize their operations. Anduril Industries uses AI to develop cutting-edge autonomous systems for aerospace, while EarthNow is implementing AI in satellite imaging for real-time Earth observations. Advanced Integration Technology (AIT) specializes in industrial automation and aerospace tooling, utilizing AI to design integrated plant-floor systems. Tethers Unlimited leverages AI to enhance capabilities and reduce costs in space, sea, and air missions. These companies exemplify the growing trend of AI integration in advanced manufacturing, driving improvements in efficiency, safety, and innovation.
Maritime & AI
Washington State is home to innovative maritime companies utilizing AI to enhance their operations. Maritime Blue, a key player in Seattle's maritime innovation scene, supports marine-focused startups through accelerator programs, many of which integrate AI into their solutions. ioCurrents, based in Seattle, provides AI-driven data analytics that optimize fuel usage and maintenance schedules for maritime operators, improving efficiency and reducing costs. These companies exemplify how AI is driving innovation in the state's maritime industry.
Where AI goes above and beyond
to solve human challenges.
We Invest in the Talent That Drives Dynamic AI Ecosystems
Greater Seattle’s thriving AI community is supported by a robust network of conferences, seminars, and meetups, fostering collaboration and skill development. With 74.4 new AI job listings per 100,000 residents in Greater Seattle, compared to 11.7 job listings per 100,000 residents in the U.S. overall (2024), the region is a magnet for AI professionals, drawn by its dynamic ecosystem and opportunities for growth.
Our higher education institutions fuel our pipeline of talent and innovation in AI.
University of Washington's Professional & Continuing Education programs, such as the 8-month Certificate in Machine Learning and the 9-month Certificate in Machine Learning & Deep Learning: Application Frontiers, provide in-depth training in essential AI concepts and tools like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch. These programs are crucial as the region continues to see a growing number of computer science graduates, with UW alone conferring 539 degrees in 2023.
Other institutions, including Bellevue College, Seattle University, and Tacoma Community College, contribute to this educational ecosystem by offering a combined total of over 600 computer science degrees annually.
Latest News
AI in Seattle: Coming Out of Stealth Mode
Microsoft’s philanthropic AI for Good Research Lab, shares its AI models with nonprofits that lack the resources to build their own.
AI Incentives
No personal state income tax.
No corporate income tax.
High Technology B&O Tax Credit: Reduces B&O tax for AI-related R&D expenses.
No sales or use tax on machinery and equipment used in manufacturing operations.
Innovation & Modernization Fund (IMF): Grants for AI-driven tech upgrades in state agencies.
Automated Decision Systems (ADS) Guidance: Ensures ethical AI procurement and use.
Generative AI Guidelines: Provide ethical AI use guidelines for state operations.
Workforce Development Programs: Support AI skills training through educational partnerships.