Ok so a few thoughts as a former Seattleite:
1. You were a therapy session for her. Her negativity was about the layoffs.
2. FAANG companies dramatically overhired for years and are using AI as an excuse for layoffs.
3. AI scene in Seattle is pretty good, but as with everywhere else was/is a victim of the AI hype. I see estimates of the hype being dead in a year. AI won't be dead, but throwing money at the whatever Uber-for-pets-AI-ly idea pops up won't happen.
4. I don't think people hate AI, they hate the hype.
Anyways, your app actually does sound interesting so I signed up for it.
I think these companies would benefit from honesty, if they're right and their new AI capabilities are really powerful then poisoning their workforce against AI is the worst thing they could do right now. Like a generous severance approach and compassionate layoffs would go a long way right now.
Some people really do hate AI, it's not entirely about the layoffs. This is a well insulated bubble but you can find tons of anti-AI forums online.