Terence Soo Wei Ming
Master of IT in Business (Artificial Intelligence)
Class of 2021
I graduated from the SMU Master of IT in Business (MITB) programme in 2021, specialising in Artificial Intelligence. My academic background is in Bioengineering, and over the years, I’ve worked across a diverse range of organisations—from global MNCs and the public sector to small-medium enterprises. I also worked as a management consultant with Accenture, which gave me a solid foundation in navigating business complexities across industries.
In my most recent role, I served as the Director of AI Solutions at Prudential, where I’ve been driving the development and adoption of Generative AI solutions across multiple Asian markets.
While exploring postgraduate degree options, the MITB Artificial Intelligence programme stood out to me for its rigorous curriculum and deep focus on domain knowledge. What also impressed me was SMU’s distinctive seminar-style teaching approach, which encourages active participation and critical thinking. I wanted to be in an environment where I could engage with fellow working professionals and learn from both industry and academic perspectives. The structure of the programme gave me the flexibility I needed as a working adult, without compromising on the depth and quality of the learning experience.
The programme was intense—but in the best possible way. One of my favourite memories was coding a reinforcement learning project with Pac-Man. Watching the algorithm learn to make decisions and eventually win the game was fascinating—it was one of those moments where AI truly came alive for me.
But beyond coding and algorithms, what MITB taught me was the importance of grit and teamwork. AI is a fast-evolving field, and keeping up requires continuous learning and resilience. Balancing evening classes with a full-time job was no walk in the park. But with the support of motivated peers and great teamwork, we lifted each other and pushed forward together. That spirit continues to drive the way I work today.
Thanks to the strong foundation built during MITB, I could jump straight into the Generative AI space when it took off in 2023. The practical, hands-on nature of the curriculum gave me the tools and confidence to hit the ground running and lead impactful AI initiatives.
Some modules I appreciated most included Applied Machine Learning, AI Planning and Decision Making, Recommender Systems, and Deep Learning for Visual Recognition—each offering a deep dive into core AI concepts. I also found Digital Transformation particularly valuable, especially in today’s business landscape.
To anyone considering the MITB journey: make the most of every opportunity. Connect with your peers, collaborate closely on projects, take full advantage of the university’s resources, and get involved in activities organised by the school and alumni. Looking ahead, I see tremendous opportunities in areas like data management, governance, and AI transformation. And I believe MITB graduates are well-equipped to take on those challenges with confidence.
