Empowering people and organizations.
Welcome to Deeply Optimistic Ventures. My name is Dr. Geqigula (GQ) Dlamini. This webpage is home to some of my projects.
Across the portfolio, you may notice I value optimism, intention, innovation, and impact.
Real Impact.
I led the first documented participatory action research study that combined empowerment theory with generative AI adoption among U.S. state government employees. My research showed that when workers become co-researchers—not just end-users—AI adoption transforms from compliance to championship. 89% of participants reported feeling more empowered. 78% continued using AI three months later. The method matters as much as the technology.
Innovation.
SETHEMBA, meaning ‘hope’ in Ndebele, focuses on individual and organizational empowerment consulting, as well as strategic planning and development. We aim to bridge the gap between aspiration and impact through effective strategic planning and organizational development.
Generative AI is a People Story, Not a Technology Story
This one-hour session for the University of the Pacific Benerd College was designed to demystify generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and showcased its potential as a powerful tool to enhance our everyday lives and work. Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of GenAI, including how it learned and processed information and assisted in tasks that ranged from content creation to data analysis. Rather than viewing AI as a competitor, this session encouraged attendees to see it as a collaborative partner that could streamline repetitive tasks, support creative processes, and provide deeper insights to help make informed decisions.
