The Rural Broadband Association (University-Sponsored) / 2025
Addressing Food Insecurity with AI Workflow Optimization
Role
UX Researcher
Team
5 UX Researchers
Timeline
4 Months
Tools
OtterAI
Google Suite
Figjam
Skills
Literature Review
Stakeholder Interviews
Qualitative Analysis
Overview
Our project partner proposed the question of how can AI be deployed in rural spaces? Our goal was the implementation of AI into rural sectors such as agriculture, economy, healthcare, and workforce development to improve daily life. Our team chose to focus on food insecurity as a subset of the topics community and health.
The Problem
The Process
Researching the user workflow
A literature review was conducted to obtain background information on the current problem space. Information was gathered on current demographics, government policies, food organizations present in Michigan, and case studies for reducing food insecurity.
External data analysis was conducted to discover insights in poverty, income, demographics, and food program-related success.
A total of 8 semi-structured stakeholder interviews were conducted including food program coordinators, food insecurity researchers, an AI expert, and a farm-owner in rural Michigan.
Affinity note mapping was completed using a bottom-up approach to organize 455 interview notes into meta-clusters and 3 core themes.
Here are some of the meta-clusters and themes that were uncovered during the process.
What we uncovered
Michigan has supports to help older adults in need
Many food assistance programs and organizations in already exist in Michigan to support older adults at local and larger scales.
A key challenge is maintaining program operations
Specific challenges include applying/searching for grants, limited staffing, and sharing information to the people in need of support.
Open communication and collaboration is vital
Most programs currently work separately. Communication channels are limited or inefficient, such as multiple group chats and overlapping conversations.
We turned those insights into guiding recommendations
Identify the gaps in services and resources
Local food pantries and food assistance programs are available in rural locations, though they may be limited in reach.
Leverage AI to enhance communication
Strengthen partnerships through data collection, information sharing, and collaboration.
Empowering agency and choice
Reduce stigma faced by farmers and older adults when accessing food resources
Assessing our ideas
A comparative nested matrix was created to assess gaps in our solution compared to competing or related softwares, websites, programs, and products.
We then assessed the technical feasibility and organizational constraints of implementing an AI-powered solution in food spaces today using a usability scale.
The Solution
-> Automated web scraping to gather information on up-to-date and available resources
-> Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system to improve decision-making processes and reduce administrative burden
-> Communication hub for policy updates, grants, and contacts for outreach
-> Increase broadband access to rural areas, connecting rural communities while also laying additional broadband lines and increasing company customer base
-> Incentivize adoption of AI tool usage for information and resource sharing to members who participate
Impact
Our research project was selected by peers and faculty to be presented at the end-of-semester showcase in front of all stakeholders and class sections. Our project partner provided positive feedback regarding our solution and confirmed our findings as relevant to the current rural broadband space.
Learnings
After conducting background research and our first initial interviews, pain points trended more and more to the food organizations themselves rather than those accessing them. Although recognizing that we lacked interviews with older adults, we chose to conduct a strategic pivot, shifting the focus of our research question and solution to improving the food insecurity organizations and programs so they can better help the target population which they know best.