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slash Auto News. Welcome everyone to our latest episode of Shift, a podcast about mobility. My name is Pete Bigelow. I'm your host and I am very

excited about today's episode in which we will be speaking with two people with

anthropology backgrounds. What does anthropology have to do with

automated vehicles and mobility? Surprisingly a lot. Joining me on today's

podcast will be Madeline Claire Elish, a cultural

anthropologist whose work examines the social impacts of AI and automation on

society. But first today we'll be speaking with Jessica Robinson, executive

director of the Michigan Mobility Institute, a new nonprofit that formed in January of 2019 to help examine workforce issues and develop talent for a new mobility industry.

And that's a particularly timely topic.

Last week, Waymo announced that it would refurbish

a old American axle factory in the heart of Detroit. Now it will be repurposed so Waymo can retrofit vehicles with

self-driving systems. I think it's a perfect segue into our conversation with Jessica Robinson.

Welcome, Jessica.

Thanks, it's great to. Welcome, Jessica.

Thanks.

So why don't we just kick this off?

Tell us a little bit about the Michigan Mobility Institute.

It's pretty new and what the general goals are.

So the Michigan Mobility Institute launched in January and we exist solely to focus on mobility talent

largely here in Detroit.

...