In Scotland, where belief in fairies, giants, and leprechauns still prevails, begins the story of Rebecca Johnson, in the 1980s, affectionately called “Becci” by her friends.

The story I am about to tell is marked not only by a profound personal crisis but also by her unwavering passion for technology, deeply rooted in her family.

Becci, who grew up in Inverurie, now lives in Munich and is one of my most fascinating colleagues at Siemens. She is best described as a woman who lives and loves surrounded by her family and technology.

Her father, a 76-year-old programmer with a penchant for robotics, and her children, who played with the Hololens from an early age, reflect her family life where technology is synonymous with magic.

Every life has its destiny

A profound personal crisis, culminating in several court hearings before the family court during the pandemic, became a turning point in her life – and as it would turn out, the birth of a revolutionary innovation.

Becci, who works as a scientist in technical research and is proud to have been named  Siemens als  „Inventor of the Year“ 2022 despite her university degree in arts, suddenly found herself in a world where negotiations can decide everything.

The personal crisis as a professional spur

Becci’s partnership failed, telephone counseling did not help her, and subsequently, she found herself embroiled in a legal dispute over custody, feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Amidst this crisis, Becci created a highly intelligent bot, not only a masterpiece of technical innovation but also a tool that helped her through the emotionally and mentally demanding times.

This bot, a result of her expertise and creative problem-solving skills, became her ally in the custody negotiation, where she eventually succeeded.

Developing a chatbot for negotiations, inspired by her personal experiences, became not only her healing but also one of her most spectacular inventions.

LeMiNo, the chatbot that emerged from this period, stands as a testament to Becci’s ability to turn crises into opportunities.

With her interdisciplinary team – psychology, AI, UX, and 3D technologies – she further developed her chatbot for court proceedings.

The result was an avatar that not only simulates negotiations but also provides users with feedback on their tactics, body language, and facial expressions

This avatar shows how profoundly technology can influence human life by offering insights into one’s behavioral patterns and teaching more effective communication.

Becci’s story exemplifies how a personal crisis can lead to groundbreaking change – in this case, an invention. It shows that creativity and the willingness to learn and act to deal with a crisis can represent a ray of hope even in the darkest moments.

The prototype of the avatar created is now awaiting multiple applications, from preparing for complex business negotiations, honing diplomatic skills, to improving interpersonal communication in everyday situations, making it a suitable tool for a variety of scenarios.

Her commitment to making these negotiation skills accessible to a wider audience underscores Becci’s deep understanding that the true magic of technology lies in the democratization of knowledge. A lived utopia, in my opinion.

Becci’s story is a living proof that crises can lead to great ideas, concepts, and inventions, and that creativity and perseverance always open new doors and help us define our new identity.

Follow Rebecca Johnson and also our new Club page there – Utopiensammlerin e.V.  🙌