This online community discussion was hosted by Timmaron Group. In her introduction, CEO Barb Stinnett spoke about how the firm has been doing AI assessments for executive teams, addressing the growing interest from CEOs and board members in leveraging AI as a competitive advantage. That initiative has been targeting Fortune 1000 and mid-cap companies, aiming to explore practical applications of AI within their organizations. Barb emphasized the importance of data and AI in modern business strategies, highlighting the shift from traditional enterprise systems to AI-driven solutions.

This online discussion session featured insights from two experts, Matthew Versaggi and Dan McCreary, who shared their backgrounds and perspectives on AI’s role in strategic planning.

Matthew Versaggi, a Presidential Innovation Fellow focused on AI, introduced the concept of a “VUCAD” world — Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous, and Digital — underscoring the implications of AI as a general-purpose technology. He discussed the transition in AI strategy from risk avoidance to a focus on performance and innovation, driven by a global technology arms race. Versaggi stressed the need for organizations to adopt a dual strategy that integrates business and technology to effectively leverage AI, while also cautioning against using AI when traditional methods are more effective or when organizations struggle with the ambiguity of AI technologies.

The second speaker, Dan McCreary, an AI researcher, highlighted the advantages of certain AI development tools, such as Cursor and Codium Windsurf, which facilitate rapid application creation. He provided an example of an investor who significantly reduced coding time using Cursor, illustrating the tool’s efficiency. One person on the call, an experienced developer, recommended other AI tools, including Mammoth for cost-effective access to generative models and Relevance.ai for creating AI agents. The discussion also touched on the ethical considerations and computational costs associated with certain invite-only tools, emphasizing the importance of responsible AI use.

Another participant, Paula Norbom, CEO of Talencio, shared her experience using Perplexity to enhance her writing and research, while also cautioning about the reliability of its sources. The conversation included challenges in the recruiting space, such as spam and ghost job postings. Speaker Dan McCreary elaborated on intelligent textbooks that adapt to learners’ needs, showcasing the disruption AI brings to traditional education and venture capital models.

Timmaron’s Barb Stinnett concluded by expressing enthusiasm for the lively discussion and announcing ongoing monthly sessions for further collaboration, encouraging participants to share their experiences in leveraging AI for competitive advantage.

For a recording of this one-hour online event, contact ashley@timmarongroup.com. Here are links to the two speakers’ slides:

• Matthew Versaggi’s slides (PDF)
• Dan McCreary’s slides (click on link, then find the download icon)

And watch for announcements of future online discussions by following the Timmaron Group LinkedIn page.