Hi, I'm Joshua McNichols.

And I'm Monica Nicholsberg.

We host KUOW's Economy Podcast, booming.

ChatGPT may feel like magic, but every time you ask AI a question, it goes to a real place.

AI has a back end, and it looks like massive data centers sprawling across farmland in central Washington.

On our latest episode, is our AI obsession good for small town America?

Listen to booming on the KUOW app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Good afternoon and welcome back to daylight saving time. Or at least getting those later sunsets out of it.

From the KUOW Newsroom, this is Seattle Now. I'm Paige Browning and here are today's top stories.

It's Monday, March 10th. Starting with big business news, Seattle-based online real estate brokerage Redfin has found a buyer.

Rocket will acquire Redfin in an all-stock deal worth $1.75 billion.

Monica Nicholsberg has the Dietz.

Redfin CEO Glenn Kalman says the deal will power Rockets launch into artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence should actually lower fees, shouldn't it? There is so much work

that's happening behind the scenes that we think could be automated, and maybe some of that

should benefit Redfin and Rocket, but some of it should benefit you, the consumer.

The acquisition comes amid financial turmoil for Redfin.

The company laid off 450 employees last month.

Kelman wouldn't say if the deal will result in more layoffs as Rocket automates parts of the home buying process.

But he said it's likely some areas of the business will grow while others shrink.

One thing Kelman's sure of, Redfin will maintain a

presence in Seattle. Man, of course. What are you talking about? I love this town. Monica

...