Using Generative AI to Create Sustainable Business Plans: A Mini-Course at the University of Sonora

Last week, we had the incredible opportunity to deliver a mini-course at the University of Sonora on how to use generative AI to craft sustainable business plans. The session was designed to empower students and budding entrepreneurs to integrate cutting-edge AI tools, such as ChatGPT, into their business planning processes. This event showcased the practical applications of AI for innovation and sustainability, offering hands-on experience and collaborative learning.

The Course in Action

The course focused on teaching participants how generative AI can assist in every stage of business planning, including:

• Brainstorming Ideas: Using AI to refine concepts, identify potential gaps, and generate creative alternatives.
• Market Research: Employing AI for customer analysis, trend identification, and competitive landscape evaluation.
• Feasibility Assessments: Exploring cost structures, revenue models, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Customer Feedback Simulation: Generating insights by simulating customer reactions and improving marketing strategies.
• SWOT Analysis: Leveraging AI to identify internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats.

Participants were encouraged to experiment with AI tools to practice crafting mission statements, vision statements, and value propositions tailored to their sustainable business goals.

Collaborators Making a Difference

The course was a collaborative effort between three instructors, each bringing unique expertise to the table:

• Dr. Saiph Savage
  A computer scientist and expert in human-centered AI, Saiph provided a technical and strategic perspective on how AI can be applied to the future of work and sustainable business practices.
• Dr. Rafael Morales
  Originally from Mexico City and a PhD in Political Science from UNAM, Rafael brought a nuanced understanding of how to align AI-driven business strategies with government policies. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration between businesses and governments to promote social good.
• Jesse Nava
  With extensive experience launching ventures for marginalized communities, including startups supporting low-income Hispanics and formerly incarcerated individuals in the U.S., Jesse shared real-world insights into how AI can help create inclusive, impactful business models.

Why Generative AI?

Generative AI, like ChatGPT, offers a unique advantage for entrepreneurs by providing accessible tools to:

• Refine business ideas and strategies.
• Perform rapid iterations to improve outcomes.
• Enhance collaboration and creativity.
• Develop sustainable and socially conscious plans.

The session emphasized the importance of human-centered design to ensure that AI tools remain inclusive, adaptable, and aligned with ethical practices.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

We want to thank the University of Sonora and Dr. Alma Brenda Leyva Carreras for the invitation to deliver this course. It was an honor to collaborate with a multidisciplinary group of students and share knowledge at the intersection of AI, business, and sustainability.

As we move forward, we aim to continue these efforts, fostering a deeper understanding of how AI can empower diverse communities and create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Keynote Speaker at the Mexican AI Conference (MICAI)

Caption: My father, me, and Mexican Professor Beto Ochoa-Ruiz (chair of the Mexican AI Conference) at MICAI in Puebla.

It was an incredible honor to be the keynote speaker at the Mexican AI Conference, a prestigious event with over 40 years of history organized by the Mexican Society for Artificial intelligence. I had the privilege of being a keynote speaker and presenting my research on designing worker-centric AI tools, and it was truly inspiring to see such a vibrant and thriving AI community in Mexico.

Conference Highlights

The conference itself was filled with fascinating talks and discussions. I especially enjoyed the presentation by Professor XX from the University of Toronto, who is pioneering AI systems to quantify and understand smell—an area of AI that I had not previously considered but found fascinating.

I also appreciated reconnecting with Professor Ricardo Baeza Yates, a distinguished researcher at Northeastern University. His work in establishing impactful AI labs in both industry and academia has been transformative, particularly in Latin America. His efforts with Yahoo Research have opened new pathways for research and innovation in the region, creating opportunities for countless researchers.

INAOE: A Unique Setting

The conference took place at the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics, and Electronics (INAOE), a premier research institution in Mexico. Situated in a serene wooded area, INAOE is home to some stunning telescopes, blending cutting-edge technology with natural beauty. This unique setting added a special touch to the conference, enhancing the overall experience.

Caption: An overview of the speakers, participants, and organizers of the conference.

Special Moments with My Father

One of the most memorable aspects of this experience was attending the conference with my father, who has dedicated much of his career to AI and robotics. We drove together from Mexico City to Puebla, where the conference was held, and this journey gave us the unique opportunity to spend rich quality time together. Our conversations ranged from AI to personal reflections, making this trip a deeply meaningful experience for both of us.

Exploring the City of Puebla

Puebla is an impressive city, renowned for its rich history and architectural beauty. During our visit, I was particularly captivated by its churches, which showcase the Churrigueresque style. This ornate style is a fusion of local Indigenous art and Spanish Baroque, characterized by its elaborate decorations and intricate details. It stands as a testament to the cultural confluence that shaped Puebla’s identity.

Final Reflections

Overall, it was a privilege to be part of such a dynamic and supportive AI research community. The Mexican AI Conference not only provided a platform to share my research but also allowed me to engage with brilliant minds and immerse myself in the rich cultural and scientific landscape of Puebla.

Co-Organizing a Workshop at AAAI HCOMP on Designing AI Tools for the Future of Work

We recently had the honor of co-organizing a workshop at the AAAI Human Computation and Crowdsourcing Conference (HCOMP) in Pittsburgh. This workshop focused on designing AI tools for the future of work and brought together diverse perspectives and innovative ideas.

Keynote Speaker: Sara Kingsley

Caption: Sara Kingsley giving her keynote at our workshop where she explained about her research on designing human centered AI for the future of work. She is especially focused on using red-teaming techniques to conduct online audits around AI in the work place, identify biases around current AI tools, and then designing AI driven interventions to address the challenges.

One of the highlights of our workshop was having Sara Kingsley as our keynote speaker. Sara is a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University and has extensive experience working at Meta and within the US Federal government, specifically in the Secretary of Labor.

In her engaging talk, Sara shared her work using red teaming—a process where experts challenge and test systems to find vulnerabilities or weaknesses—to identify problematic job ads and content related to job advertising. She explained how she applies red teaming to ensure that job ads do not propagate harmful biases or misleading information. This approach allows her to design human-centered AI tools that can create better, more equitable AI-driven futures for workers.

This type of research is critical as it helps to identify and mitigate potential biases and harms in AI systems before they impact real users. We were especially proud to note that Sara recently won the best paper award at HCOMP’24 on this very topic. Congratulations to Sara on this well-deserved recognition! We are proud to have had her as a keynote speaker in our workshop.

Co-Design Activity with Community Partners

Caption: Our research collaborator Jesse Nava in his workforce development programs for former/current prisoners.

Another unique aspect of our workshop was the co-design activity we held with workshop participants and current and former prisoners from California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Our community partner, Jesse Nava, joined us via call, making this session truly impactful.

During this co-design activity, participants proposed ideas for generative AI tools that could support the reintegration of former prisoners into the workforce. Jesse provided invaluable feedback on these proposals, sharing his perspective on potential harms, biases, and areas where these tools could be improved to better serve the formally incarcerated population.

This was a unique experience as it allowed us to receive direct feedback from real-world stakeholders who would be directly affected by these AI tools. The opportunity to co-design with such engaged partners highlighted the importance of including diverse voices and lived experiences in the development process.

Closing Thoughts

We concluded the workshop with a sense of excitement and renewed commitment to continue designing the future of generative AI tools together. This collaborative approach is key to creating technologies that are inclusive, fair, and genuinely supportive of the communities they aim to serve.

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this workshop a success. We look forward to future opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and create impactful AI solutions.