ESD

Michigan’s White Collar Recession Has Started — And AI May Accelerate It

ANN ARBOR - For decades, white collar workers believed college degrees and office careers offered protection from the economic disruption that devastated factory towns across the Midwest. Automation was supposed to threaten assembly lines — not office cubicles. But economists, labor researchers and major national publications are increasingly warning that artificial intelligence could reshape professional

By |2026-05-06T17:13:51-04:00May 6th, 2026|Artificial Intelligence, Auto Tech, ESD, Featured, Industry 4.0|

GM’s $6 Billion Bet on Gas Engines Could Save Michigan Jobs as EV Demand Slows

DETROIT - General Motors is pouring more than $6 billion into U.S. manufacturing in just 12 months, a massive capital commitment that underscores a growing reality inside the auto industry: the transition to electric vehicles isn’t happening as fast as expected. The latest piece of that investment—about $830 million across key Midwest plants—is aimed squarely

By |2026-05-05T11:18:49-04:00May 5th, 2026|Auto Tech, Engineering Society of Detroit, ESD, Featured|

Michigan Can’t Find Enough Childcare Workers—State Launches New Recruiting Tool

Labor shortages in early education are now hitting Michigan’s workforce and economy. State officials say a new career tool could help—but questions remain about whether it’s enough. Photo credit: Stock Image.  LANSING - Michigan is facing a growing shortage of childcare and early education workers—and state officials are now rolling out a new tool they

By |2026-04-21T13:04:38-04:00April 21st, 2026|ESD, Government/Politics, Politics, Politics/Government|

From Desktop to Dirt: MSU Puts Weather, Pest Data in Farmers’ Hands With New App

EAST LANSING - Michigan State University AgBioResearch has launched a mobile version of its long-running Enviroweather system, giving Michigan farmers real-time access to critical weather and crop data directly from the field. The new Enviroweather Mobile app marks a major shift from desktop-only access to on-the-go decision-making—something growers say is increasingly essential as farming becomes

By |2026-04-18T18:12:45-04:00April 18th, 2026|ESD, Hemp|

Apple Icon Steve Wozniak To Deliver Keynote At GVSU’s Commencement Ceremonies 

ALLENDALE — Steve Wozniak, a visionary in the field of personal computing and the technological pioneer behind the formation of Apple, will be the guest speaker for Grand Valley State University’s three Commencement ceremonies on May 1-2 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. “GVSU is sincerely grateful to Steve Wozniak for donating his time

By |2026-04-18T17:50:32-04:00April 18th, 2026|ESD|

Cybercrime Is Becoming a “Hidden Tax” on Michigan Small Businesses—And AI Is Making It Worse

ANN ARBOR - Small businesses across Michigan—from auto suppliers in Oakland County to cannabis retailers in Detroit—are facing a growing and costly threat: cybercrime. A new national survey by the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), conducted by Morning Consult, shows fraud, scams and ransomware are draining an estimated $131 billion annually from U.S. small businesses,

By |2026-04-16T18:00:47-04:00April 11th, 2026|Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Defense, ESD|

LIFT Launches Education Foundation to Expand Access to Advanced Manufacturing Careers

DETROIT - LIFT, the Department of Defense-supported national advanced materials and manufacturing innovation institute, announced the launch of the LIFT Education Foundation, a new nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to education and career pathways in advanced manufacturing. The Detroit-based 501(c)(3), operated by the American Lightweight Materials Innovation Institute (ALMMII), will provide scholarships and support to

By |2026-04-14T13:17:23-04:00April 9th, 2026|ESD, Industry 4.0|

Who’s Responsible If A Dam Fails? Michigan Regulators Reject Consumers Plan To Sell 13 Dams For $1 Each

LANSING — A growing battle over the future of 13 aging Michigan dams escalated this week as the Michigan Natural Resources Commission moved to oppose Consumers Energy’s plan to sell the structures, raising serious concerns about long-term safety, oversight, and financial responsibility. The vote adds new pressure to an already controversial proposal that would transfer

By |2026-04-09T17:39:51-04:00April 9th, 2026|ESD, Government/Politics, News|

Lawrence Tech, Michigan State Collaborating On The Front Lines Of High-Speed AI

SOUTHFIELD— Lawrence Technological University has joined a global university team developing autonomous racecars capable of speeds approaching 200 miles per hour as part of the Indy Autonomous Challenge, one of the world’s premier competitions advancing artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicle technology. The collaboration with Michigan State University and the PoliMOVE-MSU autonomous racing team places LTU

By |2026-04-01T14:23:53-04:00April 1st, 2026|Artificial Intelligence, ESD|

Kristin Knoll Honorary Chair for the 2026 Great Lakes Bay Regional Fundraiser to Benefit Make-A-Wish

MIDLAND - ABC Greater Michigan Chapter will host its 39th annual Great Lakes Bay Regional Fundraiser to Benefit Make-A-Wish set for April 17 at the Great Hall, Midland. Guests are welcome to join the community in honoring past and current Wish Kids who are bravely facing their health challenges. Honorary chair, Kristin Knoll, Executive Director

By |2026-03-24T14:50:22-04:00March 24th, 2026|ESD|