SoftWriters Showcases AI Innovation at Pittsburgh Tech Council's Beyond Big Data Summit

The Pittsburgh Technology Council's "Beyond Big Data: AI/Machine Learning Summit" on February 12, 2025, brought together innovative minds to exchange ideas and explore the future of AI implementation across various technology businesses. Audrey Russo, President and CEO of PTC, said that the event aimed to "exchange ideas and celebrate the region's leadership in data intelligence and machine learning."

Industry Leaders Share Insights on Artificial Intelligence

The summit featured compelling discussions from various industry leaders who shared their experiences and insights on AI implementation. During the "Crafting an AI Roadmap" panel, Will Lewis, Chief Data Officer at Sheetz, emphasized the importance of a business-centric approach to AI adoption. "If you don't partner with the business... it's much harder to get traction," Lewis noted, highlighting the necessity of strong stakeholder engagement.

Tim Speicher, AI and Advanced Analytics Manager at MSA The Safety Company offered a balanced perspective on AI usage in the workforce: "When ChatGPT came to the forefront, everyone was chasing the shiny object, but no one thought of ROI." His insights resonated with many attendees, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with practical business outcomes.

In the "Building Smarter AI" panel, Ian Blunt, VP of Advanced Analytics at Highmark Health, discussed the concept of "human at the helm" in ensuring trustworthy AI. This approach particularly resonated with healthcare technology providers, as it emphasized the critical role of human oversight in AI implementation.

Ankur Sharma from Bayer added valuable perspective on healthcare AI and the importance of training your team, noting, "It's very hard to interpret what the tool is doing if you don't know how the tool works."

SoftWriters' Contribution to the AI Dialogue

Against this backdrop of industry expertise, SoftWriters participated in the summit through an insightful breakout session led by Terry Dean, Director of Product Operations and Execution. Dean, who brings a unique perspective shaped by both her software engineering background and personal healthcare journey, has built her career on developing systems that transform raw information into actionable insights.

Her presentation, "Strategic AI Integration for Innovative LTC Pharmacy Solutions," explored practical AI and machine learning applications in long-term care pharmacy. Drawing from her experience tackling challenges across healthcare and business operations, Dean shared how SoftWriters is developing a robust AI strategy through collaborative efforts with internal and external stakeholders.

"We identified AI solutions that align with our strategic goals and our customer's needs," Dean shared during her presentation.

Her approach to AI implementation reflected many of the day's key themes, particularly the importance of starting with clear business objectives and maintaining a focus on practical outcomes. The session highlighted specific use cases where AI and machine learning are instrumental in solving critical challenges within the LTC pharmacy sector, focusing on areas such as "more personalized experiences for our customers" and "reducing operational costs."

What set Dean's presentation apart was her emphasis on practical implementation strategies. "The leap to AI is not insurmountable. You can start small with internal organic growth," she noted, providing attendees with actionable insights for integrating AI into their own organizational frameworks. This perspective is particularly valuable for healthcare organizations looking to begin or expand their AI initiatives.

Drawing from her personal experience with chronic health challenges, Dean brought a unique understanding of how well-applied data and technology can create lasting change in both personal and professional contexts. This dual perspective enhanced her discussion of how SoftWriters is working to empower LTC pharmacies with AI-driven solutions that impact patient care and operational efficiency. This practical approach to AI integration, grounded in real-world experience and focused on meaningful outcomes, benefited summit participants seeking actionable paths forward in their own AI journeys.

Panelists speaking during the session, “Crafting an AI Roadmap: Strategy and Implementation.”

Learning from Cross-Industry Perspectives

The summit provided valuable opportunities to learn from diverse AI implementations across industries. Shane Shaneman, Senior AI Strategist at NVIDIA, offered a particularly relevant insight: "It's not about the AI. It's about the problem. It's about understanding the problem you have to solve and where you can leverage AI. Do not do AI for AI's sake because it's the new thing; do it because it will solve the problem in the best way for your company and your employees."

These parallel insights from different industries reinforced the importance of thoughtful, measured approaches to AI implementation.

Advancing Healthcare Through Collaborative Innovation

Danielle Greer, VP of Product at SoftWriters, reflected on the value of participating in such collaborative events: "SoftWriters' presence at this year's, ”Beyond Big Data: AI/ML Summit,” underscores our commitment to advancing the long-term care pharmacy space through innovative AI solutions. By having one of our own, Terry Dean, speak on this crucial topic, we're honored to share how SoftWriters is partnering with our customers to solve their pain points while also bringing much-needed attention to an industry that impacts us all."

"Our participation demonstrates how we're leveraging AI to enhance medication safety, improve patient outcomes, and streamline operations for long-term care pharmacies," Greer noted. "It's an opportunity to highlight the transformative potential of technology in a sector that cares for our most vulnerable populations."

Looking Ahead

The Beyond Big Data Summit showcased Pittsburgh's vibrant technology ecosystem and the collaborative spirit that drives innovation across industries. For healthcare technology providers like SoftWriters, such events offer valuable opportunities to learn from other sectors while contributing healthcare-specific insights to the broader AI conversation.

As the technology landscape continues to evolve, the insights shared at the summit reinforce the importance of thoughtful AI implementation that prioritizes practical outcomes and meaningful impact. The discussions and connections made at events like these help shape the future of AI applications across industries, particularly in critical sectors like long-term pharmacy, where innovation must always serve the ultimate mission of empowering pharmacies and saving lives.