AI, Innovation, and Impact: Terry Dean’s Inspiring Work

Theresa (Terry) Dean, Director of Product Operations and Execution at SoftWriters, is no stranger to pushing boundaries in the tech world. Her recent participation in the Generative AI Pioneer Program is a testament to her commitment to innovation, learning, and collaboration. This program, spearheaded by GenAI.works, allowed Dean to test and shape a new AI platform while contributing to the global AI community.

Shaping the Future of AI Platforms

“The GenAI Pioneer Beta was an opportunity to be among the first to explore and shape a new AI platform from GenAI.works,” Dean explained.

The initiative aimed to evaluate two platforms — Kajabi and Mighty Network — ability to support a robust AI Learning Management System (LMS). This LMS is designed to educate participants through AI courses and enable them to apply their skills in real-world projects, including the #BuildWithAI 2024 Hackathon.

Terry’s role in the beta phase involved hands-on testing of features such as team formation, mentor interactions, and resource utilization. She provided detailed feedback on usability, engagement, and functionality through surveys and user interviews.

“This program also served as a gateway to connect with a global community of innovators who were interested in collaborating and sharing their experiences with the latest AI technologies,” she added.

Guiding Global Talent in the Hackathon

One highlight of Terry’s involvement was mentoring participants in the #BuildWithAI 2024 Hackathon held in December. With 4,500 participants from over 80 countries, the event encouraged innovation in areas like Generative AI, AI Agents, and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). Over 200 teams competed for $25,000 in prizes, with winners to be announced in late January 2025.

As a mentor, Terry supported participants by answering questions, providing guidance on competition resources, and connecting them with specialized mentors.

“The experience was enriching,” Dean recalled. “I learned from the diverse approaches and creativity of participants while honing my skills in communication and collaboration across cultures and time zones.”

A Personal and Professional Commitment

Terry’s decision to join the Generative AI program stemmed from her passion for innovation and her professional dedication to user-centric product development.

“As an active user of the GenAI.works platform, I rely on their content to stay updated on AI news and learning opportunities,” she shared. “This program allowed me to contribute my perspective as an end user, ensuring the platform evolves to meet the needs of its community.”

The parallels between the GenAI program and her work at SoftWriters are striking.

“At SoftWriters, we rely on customer feedback during Limited Production Releases (LPR) and beta testing phases to ensure our designs are intuitive, impactful, and ready for deployment,” Dean noted.

Participating in the GenAI beta phase reinforced the importance of clear communication and user-centric design—principles she prioritizes in her role at SoftWriters.

A Cause Close to Her Heart

The Generative AI program also allowed Terry to support a cause deeply personal to her. In recognition of her involvement, a donation was made to the PKD Foundation, the only U.S. organization solely dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

“This cause is deeply personal to me, as my father passed away due to complications from PKD,” Dean shared. “With advancements in AI and machine learning, there is renewed hope for accelerating research and improving the quality of life for patients with PKD and other genetic conditions.”

Looking Ahead

Terry’s involvement in the Generative AI Pioneer Program and the #BuildWithAI 2024 Hackathon underscores her commitment to innovation, collaboration, and empathy. By stepping into the role of an end user in a product testing environment, she gained valuable insights that inform her work at SoftWriters while contributing to the global AI community.

“Ultimately, participating in these events gave me a firsthand reminder of what it feels like to be an end user engaging with a product in its development phase,” Dean reflected. “This perspective is invaluable as it allows me to empathize with our customers and ensure our processes and products are designed to truly meet their needs.”

Through her dedication to advancing AI and her personal commitment to meaningful causes, Terry Dean exemplifies the power of technology to drive progress and create a lasting impact.

About GenAI Works

Generative AI was started to make AI easy and accessible for everyone. It helps people discover, learn, and grow in this exciting new era while ensuring its benefits are shared by everyone—not just a few.

As the world’s biggest AI hub, GenAI Works offers expert insights, live courses, and tools to help you stay ahead and take charge of the AI revolution. Founded in June 2023, GenAI.Works is already one of the world’s premier AI communities.

To learn more, visit their website, genai.works.