From 'I Can't Code' to 'I Just Built That': My AI-Powered Learning Journey Three months ago, if you had told me I'd be writing HTML code, reading through stylesheets, and launching custom landing pages for the Idaho Technology Council, I would have laughed. Not because I didn't want to learn—but because "coding" felt like someone else's domain. I had my lane. They had theirs. Then I got curious. The Shift: From Consumer to Creator Like many leaders, I'd been using AI tools to write faster, research better, and think more clearly. But I hadn't considered that these tools could help me build things I'd previously built using drag and drop features which worked but also very time consuming. The breakthrough came when I stopped asking "Can AI do this for me?" and started asking "Can AI teach me to do this myself?" Working with Claude, I didn't just get a landing page delivered to me. I got to make one. Together. And then another. And another. What Actually Happened Here's the thing nobody tells you about "vibe coding" with AI: it's not about becoming a developer. It's about becoming conversational with technology. I'd describe what I needed: "This section needs to feel more welcoming. Can we add testimonials here? The Idaho map should be more prominent." Claude would generate the code. I'd look at it—really look at it. Ask questions. "What does this section do? Why is this formatted this way?" Then I'd start making my own edits. Small ones at first. Changing colors. Adjusting text. Then bigger ones. Restructuring sections. Adding new components. The Leveling of the Playing Field This matters beyond my personal learning curve. As CEO of a technology trade association, I'm constantly advocating for Idaho's tech ecosystem, talking about innovation, championing digital transformation. But there was still this gap between my advocacy and my personal technical fluency. Now? I can have different conversations. I understand what's possible. I can prototype ideas quickly. I can evaluate vendor proposals with fresh eyes. I can teach my team to do the same. For the Curious, Not the Credentialed Here's what I want other nonprofit leaders, association executives, and "non-technical" professionals to know: You don't need a computer science degree. You need curiosity and willingness to try. You don't need to become an expert. You need to become conversant enough to ask better questions and make informed decisions. You don't need expensive developers for everything. You need to know when to DIY and when to bring in specialists—and AI helps you understand that distinction. The barrier to entry for digital creation has fundamentally changed. The question is no longer "Can I afford to build this?" but "Am I willing to learn how?" The Broader Implications This shift has implications for: Workforce development : We're preparing people for jobs that require "traditional" coding when AI-assisted development might be the actual future Organizational agility : Teams that embrace AI collaboration can iterate faster and reduce dependency on external resources Leadership literacy : Executives who understand how to work with AI tools are better positioned to guide their organizations through digital transformation Economic access : Smaller organizations and rural communities (like many ITC members) can compete with better-resourced peers The Idaho Advantage Idaho has always punched above its weight in technology because we're scrappy, curious, and willing to figure things out. We don't have the luxury of waiting for someone else to solve our problems. This AI-collaborative approach to building? It's very Idaho. Very, "let me see if I can do this myself first." And it's working. An Invitation If you've been curious about AI but haven't found your entry point, consider this: What's something you've always outsourced because you "didn't know how"? What if you asked AI to teach you instead of just doing it for you? The landing pages I built aren't perfect. They don't need to be. They're mine. I understand every section. I can modify them when priorities shift. I can teach others to do the same. That's power. That's capability. That's the future of work. And it's available to anyone willing to ask: "What if I could?" Then do. - Diane Temple, ITC President and CEO About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for innovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org .

Introducing: Scott Manning, CEO & Founder, CalmLogic Describe the business/organization you work for: For too long, IT and other high-pressure professionals have grappled with stereotypes of poor communication and lacking emotional regulation, often leading to burnout, health challenges, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. At CalmLogic, I teach you to engineer your internal emotional network with the same logic you apply in your craft. Just using a different tool set. Our corporate workshops, event services, breathwork sessions, and retreats provide the education and experiences necessary to cultivate emotional intelligence, empowering professionals to navigate stress effectively and become their best, most resilient selves. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? After years in the industry accumulating lots of certs and climbing the ladder in many different roles, I noticed some unhealthy trends in myself and my colleagues. High levels of burnout, stress, poor work/life balance, and poor communication skills. This led to unhealthy coping mechanisms, most commonly just numbing ourselves. The method of numbing is different for many, but common ones were alcohol, cannabis, video games, doom scrolling, binge watching TV/movies, hiding in our home labs, hyper-focusing on work, etc. I eventually couldn't sustain the cycle and hit the bottom - job on the line due to lack of motivation, marriage on the fence from constant numbing, dark thoughts, health issues creeping in, and depression. Climbing out of that hole, with the help of my therapist and coach, I found a better way to face life's challenges than numbing. It was to actually face and feel everything that was coming up. Scary, right! Being logically minded, I needed to understand how those emotions worked and why they snuck up on me when they did. This led me to the world of Emotional Intelligence and mindfulness. I realized I could work through my emotional and mental health struggles using some of the same methods I used in my day job. I could troubleshoot my internal network, find the root causes of the issues, escalate when necessary, and make the necessary changes to fix it. I just needed to learn how to use this different set of tools. Now I spend my days teaching other professionals how to use those evidence-based tools along with science-backed education to reframe how you view your internal world. I want to share what I've learned with other IT, and non IT, professionals in hopes that maybe they can change course before hitting the bottom like I did . What sets this business apart from others in the industry? The difference between CalmLogic and other emotional intelligence or mindfulness companies is in experience. I come from 20 years of experience in the IT space. Specifically in the networking and Wi-Fi world. I have seen and lived first hand many of the stresses, pressures, and unhealthy patterns that are accepted as normal in the industry. I can speak your language and relate to your experience, because there is a really good chance I've been there too. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? The biggest challenge is convincing other companies that this is a problem that is worth addressing. Many recognize and see the issues and patterns, but for some reason refuse to work on them and instead accept the "this is just how it is" mentality. Watching your employees, coworkers, or even yourself struggle with mental health issues, burnout, and overwhelm is not normal and can be addressed directly. You just have to be willing to say yes. What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? The IT industry is a fascinating place. It is equally the fastest growing industry while also one of the industries with jobs most under threat from AI. My advice would be to jump into the space knowing you will likely need to pivot and learn new skills or technology quickly to stay relevant. Don't assume you'll be doing the same thing even a few years down the road. Be an observer of the industry and watch the waves form that you can jump on to propel yourself further. About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for i nnovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Scott on LinkedIn HERE Check out CalmLogic HERE

WiTECH Summit Launches with Impact: Tech Powered. Women Led.

Introducing: Zach Adams, CEO & Co-Founder, Pitch Aeronautics Describe the business/organization you work for: I'm the co-founder of Pitch Aeronautics. Pitch Aeronautics provides weather-based data insights to electric utilities enabling them to push more power through existing lines, increase reliability, and decrease wildfire risk. We use a vertical stack of technologies including AI/ML weather software, IoT power-line mounted weather stations, and a ultraprecise drone which can install these sensors and other components on energized power lines. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? When I was finishing up my dissertation I felt like the technology I developed would just be stranded in academia. I brought this up to Ian Gibson, a friend and classmate of mine from the Air Force Academy, and he suggested we see if we could start a business to commercialize it. We certainly would have never guessed we would end up helping utilities increase electric transmission capacity! What sets this business apart from others in the industry? We've made the only drone in the world capable of installation different components on energized power-lines. This platform enables us to install IoT sensors and other components at far lower costs and ultimately aggregate better data for utilities. We use this data to provide better forecasts for transmission capacity, wildfire risk, and more. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? Every stage of business has had it's challenges and I am thankful we've gotten to learn and grow from each one of them. When we were first starting out it was learning how to communicate and pinpoint the value of the technology. Now it's figuring out how to deliver for all the customer orders, juggling HR, and working with strategic partners. It's the challenges that make it fun! What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? Talk to as many customers as you can About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for i nnovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Zach on LinkedIn HERE Check out Pitch Aeronautics HERE

Introducing: Ismar Vallecillos, Western Governors University, Regional Director of Operations Describe the business/organization you work for: Western Governors University (WGU) is a nonprofit, fully online, accredited university driven by a mission to expand access to high quality, affordable education for working adults across the United States. Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors, WGU pioneered the competency-based education model, allowing students to progress through coursework based on their ability to demonstrate mastery, rather than seat time. Serving over 195,000 students and boasting more than 360,000 graduates, WGU offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in high-demand fields such as business, information technology, health professions (including nursing), and teaching. WGU is recognized for its innovative use of technology, commitment to student success, and deep partnerships with employers and workforce development agencies nationwide. The university works to close skill gaps, promote social mobility, and deliver measurable economic impact through education that is accessible, equitable, and responsive to regional needs. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? What sets WGU apart is its competency-based model, which lets students advance by demonstrating mastery—not by spending a set amount of time in class. Combined with flat-rate tuition, personalized mentoring, and fully online programs, WGU offers a flexible, affordable, and career aligned education that adapts to the lives of working adults—unlike most traditional or even other online universities. Share something you love about Idaho, or a specific community you serve, or any special projects you would like to share with our followers, or even something specific you love or want to share about the company you represent. My connection to Idaho began with my 2-year mission, which placed me in various towns and cities across eastern Idaho. As an education professional, I lived in Rexburg while working for BYU-Idaho. Having lived in various rural communities, I became aware of the need for flexible and affordable education among rural communities. With this understanding in mind, I have labored to expand awareness of the value that WGU's online degrees can bring to members of these communities. Online education is the key to helping rural communities to train, educate, and keep their members within the community. What inspired you to join the ITC? I was inspired to join the Idaho Technology Council because I believe in its mission to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and elevate Idaho’s position as a leader in tech. As someone passionate about expanding access to education and career opportunities—especially in underserved regions—I saw the ITC as a natural fit. It offers a powerful platform to connect industry, education, and workforce leaders to shape Idaho’s tech future in meaningful, forward-thinking ways. What are you looking forward to the most about serving as a board member of the ITC? As a leader in education, I am looking forward to contributing to Idaho's tech future through workforce development. At the heart of any industry's growth is a well prepared and skilled workforce. This can only be accomplished through the right collaborative environment between educational institutions and leading industries. What do you like to do in your free time, or anything else you would like to share with our network? As a leader in education, I’m most looking forward to contributing to Idaho’s tech future by helping build a stronger, more agile workforce. At the heart of any thriving industry is a pipeline of well-prepared, highly skilled professionals. I believe this can only be achieved through intentional collaboration between educational institutions and leading industries. By serving on the ITC board, I’m excited to help bridge those sectors—aligning academic programs with real-time workforce needs, promoting access to tech career pathways across all communities in Idaho, and supporting innovation that keeps Idaho competitive. It’s an incredible opportunity to shape not only the future of tech in our state, but to create sustainable upward mobility for the next generation of talent. About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for i nnovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Ismar on LinkedIn HERE Check out WGU HERE