The builder's path
For: Households in New Brunswick can't see what N.B. Power's proposed increases will cost them, or what would soften the hit.
“Some things are under our control, while others are not under our control.”
Routes to a solution
Each route is a different kind of journey, with real people and organisations to contact at each step, starting with those in New Brunswick.
Step 1
Find a lab or university incubator
Researchers and students who can test it properly.
Early investment and research funding for New Brunswick startups.
Fredericton's incubator and accelerator.
Advice and funding for technology innovation in Canada.
Funded research internships linking students with organisations.
Step 2
Win a research grant
Funding for a rigorous trial or study.
Federal funding and advice for Atlantic Canadian businesses.
Early investment and research funding for New Brunswick startups.
The province's business development agency.
Funded research internships linking students with organisations.
Ideas, sources and tools for this problem, from first interviews to funding.
Current rates, rentals and efficiency programmes.
Where the rate application and hearing documents are filed.
Decides the application and sets how the public can take part.
Runs the efficiency and assistance programmes an estimator would point to.
Starter prompt
Built from this problem's brief. Paste it into Claude or any AI assistant.
Help me design and build a first working prototype for this problem in New Brunswick, Canada. Problem: Households in New Brunswick can't see what N.B. Power's proposed increases will cost them, or what would soften the hit. Who it hurts: N.B. Power residential customers, including people who rent their water heater from the utility. The moment it hurts: Hearing that rates will rise again, after years of increases, without knowing what it means for their own bill. What people do today: Customers read headline percentages; the rate application is a long regulatory filing that few households can work through. Why it is still unsolved: The effect depends on each household's use, heating and rentals, and the three-year request will be decided at a hearing next year. What solved looks like: A free bill estimator where a household enters a recent bill or monthly use and its water-heater rental, and sees its bill for each of the next three years under the proposal, with the savings programmes and assistance it may qualify for, and how to take part in the hearing. Where: New Brunswick, Canada First, list what you would need to learn from the people affected before building, as interview questions. Then propose the simplest version that would help, the screens or messages it needs, and the data it would use. Keep it cheap to run, accessible, and respectful of people's privacy. Flag anything you are unsure about instead of guessing.
Talk to the people who live it before you build.
“In the fields of observation chance favours only the prepared mind.”
Dans les champs de l'observation le hasard ne favorise que les esprits préparés.
Get a working version in front of people fast.
Using AI is not cheating. Every tool carries the work of the people who made it, and using it well is how knowledge has always moved forward. The thinking, the care for the people who live the problem, and the judgement are still yours.
“The Analytical Engine weaves algebraical patterns just as the Jacquard-loom weaves flowers and leaves.”
Open data that fits this problem.
“You cannot step twice into the same river.”
Tools matched to what this problem needs.
“Arise, awake; seek out the wise and learn.”
उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत
uttiṣṭhata jāgrata prāpya varān nibodhata
Ship it responsibly, and find help and funding.
“Act, keeping in view the welfare of the world.”
लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि
lokasaṅgraham evāpi sampaśyan kartum arhasi
Kit written for this problem from its brief; every link was checked. Links go to each provider's own site. Zetema is not paid for any listing.