AI Decoded: A Strategic Primer for Employee-Owned Businesses

The hardest part of AI isn't the technology - it's thinking clearly about it. When should you invest? Which tools matter? How do you separate genuine opportunity from expensive distraction?

This session helps you think. We'll ground you in how AI actually works - enough to evaluate claims and make decisions, not enough to bore you. We'll survey current tools with an emphasis on practical value for employee-owned businesses. And we'll share strategic frameworks for approaching AI decisions thoughtfully.

Employee-owned companies have an advantage here: you can think long-term, you can prioritize your people, and you can make decisions based on values rather than just quarterly pressure. We'll show you how to leverage that advantage in your AI strategy.

You'll leave with a clear understanding of AI capabilities and limitations, exposure to tools worth exploring, and a strategic approach that fits who you are as an employee-owned company.

Learning objectives:

1. Understand How AI Actually Works 

Gain a clear understanding of what AI is, how it functions, and why current tools represent a genuine shift.

2. Navigate the Tool Landscape with Confidence 

Learn which AI tools deliver real value today and which are still maturing. You'll leave with a practical mental map of current platforms.

3. Apply a Strategic Framework for AI Decisions 

Develop a structured approach for evaluating AI opportunities that fits your company's values and time horizon.

4. Leverage Employee Ownership as a Strategic Advantage 

Understand why employee-owned companies are uniquely positioned to succeed with AI and how to translate long-term thinking, workforce investment, and ownership culture into competitive advantages in your AI strategy.