Seattle’s new tech council outlines priorities

Affordability, homelessness, youth opportunity, the delivery of basic services, and emergency preparedness are the main areas of focus identified by the mayor of Seattle’s new innovation council.

Launched by the mayor, Jenny Durkan, in August last year, the new Innovation Advisory Council will partner with the tech industry and the city’s own departments to use technology to address the seven priorities.

The council includes 17 local companies and community groups like Amazon, Expedia Group, Microsoft, Tableau, among others, as well as Seattle's council president–in an ex-officio capacity–and Saad Bashir, the new chief technology officer who was confirmed by the city in March.

“Seat...