Union Pacific names internal AI assistant after 52-year employee

Union Pacific has named its new internal artificial intelligence chatbot Ask Rita after Rita Pfingsten, an employee who has worked for the transportation firm for 52 years. A company spokesperson stated that Pfingsten has spent decades assisting colleagues with information requests and is one of the longest-tenured technical staff members. The AI tool is designed to extend her ability to help workers after her retirement.

The naming decision came to light during a panel discussion held at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The event was hosted by the university’s executive-focused MBA program and featured leaders from local companies. Rushi Patel, Union Pacific’s AVP of customer and enterprise technology, explained that the firm adopted AI to boost internal productivity. He presented the chatbot as a practical example of how the company is integrating new technology into its operations.

Phani Tej Adidam, a professor of marketing and entrepreneurship at UNO, introduced the session. He noted that AI systems can analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns beyond human capability. However, he emphasized that leaders retain responsibility for the decisions they make with the aid of these tools.

Kate Brown, vice president and chief information officer at Omaha Public Power District, offered a different perspective on implementation speed. She told The World-Herald that her utility is only beginning to introduce AI into its workflow. OPPD recently gave employees access to Microsoft Copilot. Brown described the setup as a secure government tenant environment, allowing staff to learn the basic functions of the tool in a controlled setting.

Brown highlighted the necessity of governance frameworks for new technology. OPPD created an acceptable-use policy to guide employees. The policy outlines basic rules for using AI responsibly and maintains security standards within the utility. Brown advised other organizations to adopt similar guides early in their adoption process.

The panel included other technology leaders from the region. Jeremy Reinoehl, CIO at Tenaska, Rama Kolli, CIO at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, and Sudhir Gajre, head of GenAI at Lovelytics, also participated. Xzavier Ozuna of Star Sleep & Wellness moderated the conversation. The group discussed topics ranging from initial trust in AI systems to specific implementation challenges.