CLIP/EDSI: BizChat: Scaffolding AI-Powered Business Planning for Small Business Owners Across Digital Skill Levels

Research Talks/Events

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: IRB 5105

Contact: Wei Ai

---

BizChat: Scaffolding AI-Powered Business Planning for Small Business Owners Across Digital Skill Levels
Yasmine Kotturi – University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Abstract: Entrepreneurs in resource-constrained communities often lack time and support to translate ideas into actionable business plans. While generative AI promises assistance, most systems assume high digital literacy and overlook community infrastructures that shape adoption. We report on the community-centered design and deployment of BizChat, an LLM-powered business planning tool, introduced across four workshops at a feminist makerspace in Pittsburgh PA. We contribute design implications—including productive friction, communal scaffolds, and co-optability—for strengthening resilience amid technological change.

Bio: Dr. Yasmine Kotturi is an Assistant Professor of Human-Centered Computing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Speaker(s): Dr. Yasmine Kotturi