Exploring AI with Maria Renton Abu: Insights on Tech, Evolution, and Career Opportunities

The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping our world is undeniable—it's influencing how we work, interact, and even plan our daily lives. We recently sat down with Maria Renton Abu, a marketing professional at Dell with deep experience in AI-driven solutions, to learn about her fascinating career and her insights into the future of enterprise AI. Here's what she had to say.

From Marketing to AI Leadership

"Can you talk a little about your journey in tech and how it led you to become involved in AI at Dell?"

Maria’s career began as a marketing assistant for an Internet Service Provider. Fast forward to today, and she’s been with Dell for over a decade. Initially, Maria’s roles revolved around marketing, but a spark of curiosity about AI a few years ago changed everything.

“I first got involved with AI when I started working on messaging for Dell Optimizer, our AI-based optimization software,”

Maria shared. “It started with a simple focus on expanding discussions about Dell’s AI portfolio during one of our sessions, and that evolved into a company-wide effort to elevate AI messaging on a global scale.”

She emphasized how her early curiosity turned into full-fledged collaboration with subject matter experts and other divisions at Dell. “That moment when OpenAI launched ChatGPT really blew the doors open,” she added. The rapidly rising interest in generative AI made it clear that organizations like Dell needed to position themselves boldly in the space, and Maria was ready to blaze that trail.

Finding Joy in the Evolution of AI

"What are your favorite parts of working with cutting-edge AI technologies?"

For Maria, the thrill comes from seeing how AI evolves in real time. She recalled witnessing the evolution of digital avatars from mere concepts to robust features integrated into Microsoft Teams.

“Watching tools grow and change is the most exciting part of my job,” she said. Maria loves how Dell’s offerings, like Dell Chat, transform from simple ideas into indispensable day-to-day tools for professionals.

She uses AI daily, not just for work but also for personal tasks like travel planning. “For example, I’ve created AI assistants tailored to different parts of my job—writing emails, drafting social media posts, and even streamlining tasks with custom instructions. It’s empowering to tailor technology to make life easier.”

Maria believes these advancements pave the way for professionals to focus on meaningful, impactful work rather than repetitive tasks.

A Look Ahead

"What’s next? How do you see AI technology evolving in the next few years?"

Maria described an exciting vision of the future. “Future workloads are AI workloads,” she said, predicting that AI integration into everyday tools and software will accelerate.

She envisions a future where everyone has personalized AI assistants capable of learning how they speak, their preferences, and how they want tasks completed. Imagine AI scheduling your day, writing emails with your tone of voice, or planning family vacations—the possibilities in both personal and professional settings are endless.

Her advice? “Don’t wait for AI to evolve—start living it now. The tools are already here."

Getting Started in AI

"How can people start working in this AI space? How can they pivot their careers toward this field?"

Maria’s response was straightforward and full of actionable ideas.

First, she recommends asking yourself where you see yourself in the AI ecosystem:

• AI Builder: For those interested in developing AI systems, coding, and working with APIs.
• AI End User: For professionals leveraging AI tools built by others to simplify and optimize their workflows.

Maria noted, “Not everyone needs to be a coder to work in AI. You can specialize in areas like prompt engineering or user experience design.”

She highlighted accessible learning resources like MIT’s "No-Code AI" certification and LinkedIn’s free certifications for AI and machine learning basics. “There’s so much free content out there,” she said. “It’s about knowing what you want to do and finding material to support your goals.”

Resources to Launch Your AI Journey

"Where can people go to learn about AI and develop their expertise?"

Maria shared some of her top resources for anyone looking to grow their knowledge:

• Dell’s Learning Studio (Ideal for Dell employees): Data science and AI learning paths with content for all skill levels, from five-minute overview videos to 40-hour deep dives.
• LinkedIn Certifications: Free courses and certifications offered by Microsoft to build foundational AI knowledge.
• Custom Certifications: Programs like those offered by MIT or other institutes focusing on practical, no-code applications.

“These resources empower you to tailor your learning experience,” she said, emphasizing that the tools and courses cater to all kinds of learners, regardless of technical background.

Looking Ahead

AI isn’t just the future—it’s already shaping the present, transforming the way we work and live. Leaders like Maria Renton Abu highlight that we don’t have to wait for the technology to fully mature to take advantage of its benefits. Whether it’s personalizing your day-to-day work or pivoting your career into AI-driven fields, the time to get involved is now.

Feeling inspired? Start exploring foundational AI courses or create your own AI assistant to streamline your workflows. The only limit is how far you’re willing to go!

Check out the full interview on YouTube: