MIT LIFT Lab

?? AI for Social Good: Empowering Micro Enterprises at MIT Crossroads 2025 ?? This week, I had the incredible opportunity to deliver a keynote at the Crossroads 2025 Conference at MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics presenting on a topic close to my heart: “#AI for #MicroEnterprises: Driving #Innovation, Growth, and #SocialImpact.” The session explored how AI and #MachineLearning are transforming #micro-retail ecosystems in #developingcountries. By designing AI-powered solutions tailored for thousands of micro firms, we are not only driving innovation and improving business performance but also enhancing access to essential goods for the #bottombillion. It was inspiring to share how cutting-edge technology can be a force for real, lasting social impact. A special acknowledgment to my incredible research team—especially our PhD and Master’s students Fábio Castro,Andrés Camarillo, Marie Fillon, Junyi Sha—who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring our live demos “Lupita” and “CuantoTengo” to life. Despite all the WiFi shutdowns during the presentation (yes, it happens! ??), their dedication ensured we could showcase how AI-driven solutions are empowering #smallbusinesses in even the most challenging environments. For those interested in learning more about our research and projects, visit our MIT LIFT Lab website https://liftlab.mit.edu and explore the work we are doing to create technology that truly makes a difference. We welcome collaborators, sponsors, and partners who share our vision for AI-driven #InclusiveGrowth. And, of course, I can’t forget the lighter side of the event! My good friend Jim Rice had the entire audience laughing when he joked that I was celebrating my 30th birthday—a flattering (yet optimistic) assessment of my real age. Thanks for the invitation, my friend! The future of AI for micro-enterprises is here, and the impact is real. Let’s build it together! ???? #AIforGood #MicroEnterprise #AIInnovation #SocialImpact #TechnologyForAll Massachusetts Institute of Technology Victoria Arnold Maria Jose Chiang Rebatta Yael Cervantes Camilo Mora Martin Staadecker Fabiola Vásquez PhD

?? ?Te invitamos al MIT LIFT Lab Research Fest en Buenos Aires, Argentina! ?? Descubre las últimas investigaciones sobre micro-retail, sostenibilidad e innovación en cadenas de suministro. Este evento, organizado en el ITBA, reunirá a investigadores, estudiantes y líderes del sector para compartir ideas basadas en datos y soluciones reales que impulsan a los peque?os negocios de bajos ingresos. ?? Este evento será una oportunidad única para conectarte, aprender y colaborar en proyectos que están transformando el futuro de los negocios y las comunidades. ?No te lo pierdas! ??? Abril 24-26 ?? ITBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina ?? Para más información y enviar tu abstract: https://lnkd.in/dfqpWmBx ?? Para audiencia general: https://lnkd.in/ebhTs5RW ?Esperamos verte allí! ?? Massachusetts Institute of Technology Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires Josue Velazquez Martinez Camilo Mora Fabiola Vásquez PhD Fábio Castro Sreedevi R Maria Jose Chiang Rebatta Victoria Arnold Yael Cervantes Marcelo Tedesco #Innovación #Sostenibilidad #MicroRetail #MITLIFT #BuenosAires #Investigación #Networking

Did you know that micro-retailers form the largest retail channel in the world? ??Discover the rich history and evolution of nanostores in Latin America and their crucial role in local economies. ? Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics Josue Velazquez Martinez Victoria Arnold Created by: Maria Jose Chiang Rebatta #Nanostores #PovertyAlleviation #LatinAmerica #Economics #PublicPolicy #Education #History

?? Exciting News! ?? The MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab in partnership with CSCMP - Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals is launching the 6th Annual State of Supply Chain Sustainability Survey, and we need YOUR help! ?? https://lnkd.in/eSABx75d This survey is a critical tool to understand what’s happening in the world of sustainability across industries, organizations, and regions. By sharing your insights, you’re helping us build a global picture of what’s working, what’s evolving, and where we can improve in the realm of sustainable supply chains. ?? Why should you participate? *Track trends: Get a snapshot of what’s working across the globe *Impact: Contribute to a world-changing movement toward more sustainable supply chains *Time: It takes less than 10 mins to complete *By participating, you’ll be helping to create actionable data that can lead to better practices, improved outcomes, and ultimately, a more sustainable future. ?? ?? Take the Survey Now https://lnkd.in/eSABx75d Let’s continue shaping the future of sustainable supply chains—together! ?? ?? Feel free to share with your network—let’s spread the word! ?? MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics Josue Velazquez Martinez Sreedevi R Martin Staadecker Victoria Arnold Maria Jose Chiang Rebatta Mark S Baxa Matt Mallard Massachusetts Institute of Technology #Sustainability #SupplyChain #SustainableSupplyChain #SustainabilitySurvey #MIT #GlobalImpact #SustainabilityInBusiness #ClimateAction #GreenBusiness #FutureOfSupplyChain

? #ThrowbackThursday ? Last summer, we had the pleasure of hosting Tecnológico de Monterrey Business Intelligence students visiting us at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. One of the highlights was Austin Saragih’s insightful presentation on communicating with data! ???? Austin explored communication as a process of encoding and decoding, the curse of knowledge, and the power of exploratory visualization in making data-driven insights more accessible and impactful. His talk not only broadened our students’ perspectives but also inspired them as they prepared for their final presentations! Thank you, Austin, for sharing your expertise and passion for data storytelling. ???? Looking forward to more moments like this! #DataCommunication #DataVisualization #MITLIFTLab #TecnológicoDeMonterrey #MIT #Educator #STEM MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics Fabiola Vásquez PhD Pedro Yedra Josue Velazquez Martinez

Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan from the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab joined SCM.290 as a guest lecturer to discuss the critical topic of Sustainable Sourcing! ? Her insightful session covered key aspects of the #procurement process, focusing on where and how companies can integrate #sustainability and estimate Scope 3 emissions effectively.? ? Some highlights included: ? ???Steps in the Procurement Process: Identifying which activities offer the most impactful opportunities for sustainable sourcing. ? ???Spend Analysis: Understanding how to evaluate procurement data to uncover sustainability improvements and drive efficiency. ? ???Supply Chain Decarbonization Incentivization Framework: A strategic approach to encouraging lower emissions across the supply chain. ? ???Strategic Segmentation of Purchases and Suppliers: Emphasizing the importance of categorizing suppliers and purchases to better manage sustainability risks and opportunities. ? A big thank you to Dr. Rajagopalan for sharing her expertise and helping SCM.290 students think strategically about building more sustainable and resilient supply chains! MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT Sloan School of Management Josue Velazquez Martinez #supplychain #decarbonization #business #educator #mit #logistics

? It is always a rewarding experience to witness the tangible impact our LIFT Projects have on the mission and career paths of students. ?? We applaud all the young #changemakers taking over Latin America! ?? Their passion, dedication, and innovative spirit inspire us every day. We could not do the work we do without them. ?? Want to see the difference firsthand? Take a moment to read Paulina Cires' experience in #Mexico and see how our projects empower students to drive real change. Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics Josue Velazquez Martinez Sreedevi R Camilo Mora Fábio Castro Fabiola Vásquez PhD #education #inspiring

Last Friday, our team hosted a dynamic workshop in #MexicoCity alongside ALIANZA NACIONAL DE PEQUE?OS COMERCIANTES ANPEC, A.C., welcoming over 120 shopkeepers from all corners of Mexico. ???? The energy was electric as Dr. Camilo Mora and Fábio Castro unveiled game-changing AI-powered tools, giving shopkeepers hands-on practice with tech designed to make managing their #nanostores smarter and simpler. From voice-activated help to advanced pricing strategies, these innovations showcased how #AI can transform everyday business operations. A huge shoutout to all the amazing participants for their energy and valuable insights. We’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of research and tech-driven solutions for their success! MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics Massachusetts Institute of Technology Josue Velazquez Martinez Sreedevi R Victoria Arnold Yael Cervantes Maria Chiang Rebatta #povertyalleviation #innovation #changemakers #business #research #educators #latinamerica #mexico #tech

?? Calling all academics in Latin American economics and micro-entrepreneurship! ?? Join us at our Research Fest in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in collaboration with Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, share your work, and exchange ideas to drive impactful change in the region. ?? ?? Submit your abstract now using the link below! We can’t wait to see you there. ?? https://lnkd.in/dfqpWmBx Learn more about the event: https://lnkd.in/dfqpWmBx MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics MIT Sloan School of Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT Technology and Policy Program Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship Josue Velazquez Martinez Sreedevi R Yael Cervantes Camilo Mora Fábio Castro Fabiola Vásquez PhD Alejandro Montenegro López Andrés Camarillo Maria Chiang Rebatta #LatinAmerica #MicroEntrepreneurship #Economics #ResearchFest #Collaboration #Abstract #PovertyAlleviation

When HackMX invited the MIT LIFT Lab to be part of their #hackathon, we knew we couldn't miss out on such an incredible opportunity! Our talented PhD students, Fábio Castro and Camilo Mora, traveled to Mexico City to present an exciting challenge to bright and ambitious students from universities across the country. ???? The challenge? "Develop an AI solution to track sales and inventory for nanostores, enabling shopkeepers to save time, monitor sales accurately, and make data-driven decisions to improve business efficiency and performance." ?? We were thrilled to see the enthusiasm and innovation 60+ students brought to our challenge. Their dedication, creativity, and hard work were truly inspiring.?? We're excited to announce that the winning team will join us at MIT this November to participate in the MIT Policy Hackathon! To all the participants: your energy and ideas are the seeds of change. We are so proud of you and confident that you are the future of impactful, tech-driven solutions! ?? Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics Josue Velazquez Martinez Sreedevi R Yael Cervantes Alejandro Montenegro López Andrés Camarillo Yael Cervantes Maria Chiang Rebatta Fabiola Vásquez PhD #Innovation #MIT #ChangeMakers #Mexico #PovertyAlleviation