Getting involved in advanced mobility often starts with a simple question: Where do I begin?
For people interested in a career, starting a business or simply exploring opportunities in Detroit’s advanced mobility industry, finding the right information can be a challenge. Resources to support these efforts exist all across the region, but knowing where to look or who to contact is not always easy, especially if you are new to the industry.
That’s why the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) created Rosie, an AI-powered chatbot designed to help people find information and discover ways to get involved in the advanced mobility industry.
The idea for Rosie grew out of conversations with the community. As GEM worked to strengthen the region’s mobility ecosystem, people shared a common need: one place where they could find information and learn about available opportunities.
“Rosie was created by listening to the community and the community telling us we need one place to get information,” said Jeannine Gant, Mobility Engagement Officer at GEM.
The inspiration for Rosie’s name came from Rosie the Riveter, the iconic symbol of women who stepped into manufacturing and industrial roles during World War II. Representing ingenuity, resilience and the power of people to shape the future, Rosie embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that continues to drive GEM’s mission.
With support from technology partner EcoMap, GEM turned that feedback into a tool that helps people ask questions, explore resources and figure out their next steps.
Turning Questions into Connections
One of the things that makes Rosie useful is that you don’t need to know exactly what you’re looking for before you start. You can ask a question in your own words and go from there.
For example, someone looking for a job in the mobility industry can ask Rosie how or where to get started. Rosie may ask a few follow-up questions about their background, whether they are a student, recent graduate, or someone with previous work experience. Based on their answers, Rosie can point them toward helpful resources, including workforce organizations like Michigan Works! and the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA).
These connections help users learn more about available support and identify potential next steps in their job search. Rather than having to figure out which organizations to contact on their own, they have a starting point tailored to their situation.
The same approach can help people explore other parts of the industry.
Someone already in the workforce might explore training resources to build new skills or prepare for a career change. Entrepreneurs can look for organizations and programs that support business development. Small businesses can begin exploring resources that may help them grow, and educators interested in introducing students to advanced mobility can use Rosie to discover relevant organizations and learning resources.
What makes this approach helpful is that people don’t need to know the right terminology or have a clear plan before they start. They can begin with a question, share a little about what they’re hoping to accomplish and use Rosie’s suggestions to explore their options. Whether someone is just learning about advanced mobility or already has a specific goal in mind, Rosie helps make it easier to find relevant information and figure out what to do next.
Advanced Mobility Is for Everyone
When people think about advanced mobility, they may picture new technology, innovative vehicles or startups developing the next big idea. But the industry needs much more than that. It also depends on skilled workers, students, educators and community organizations. Each group has a different role to play, and everyone may need a different kind of support to get involved.
GEM designed Rosie to reflect that.
Rather than building a tool for just one audience, the organization created something that could help people with different backgrounds and goals find a place to start.
“We’ve got to include everybody. You can’t limit access to opportunity to just 25% of the population and expect the entire ecosystem to thrive. We need to engage and include everyone to reach our full potential,” Gant explained.
Making It Easier to Get Started
Finding the right information can make a real difference in whether someone pursues an opportunity. Rosie helps connect people with information that will help them move forward. It does not replace the organizations and individuals doing the work across the region. Instead, it helps users discover those resources and decide what steps to take next.
As Gant put it, “Rosie creates an on-ramp for people to see themselves involved in the advanced mobility ecosystem in whatever way they want to be involved.”
For GEM, that is an important part of building a stronger mobility ecosystem. The more people who can find their way into the industry, the more opportunities there are for new ideas, skills and perspectives to shape its future.
Visit the GEM website and click on the speech bubble with three dots at the bottom right corner to start chatting with Rosie today!