The 10 AI Command-ments
The fundamentals according to us.
In this article, we’ve summarised the 10 main points things from Prepared Minds, our paper exploring how AI is transforming businesses.
AI isn’t magic—it’s a tool.
You’ll have to work out to how to create your own kind of magic. That is part of the fun. If it disappoints you first time, it’s probably because you need to be more specific. Using AI effectively often comes down to giving it a really clear brief, not expecting it to work miracles on your most complex tasks. The best results come when you break the task down into its component parts (Goblin Tools is incredible for that) and work out how to apply AI to each stage.
2. AI literacy is fundamental.
AI is now an essential business skill. Teams that are AI-literate can automate mundane tasks, generate insights, and innovate faster than those who aren’t. Becoming fluent in AI helps you stay ahead of the competition and make more informed decisions about how to use it safely and effectively in your business.
3. Learning AI is like learning a language.
Just like learning a language, the best way to learn AI is by using it. Teams that experiment with AI early on will better understand its potential and limitations. Practical, hands-on experience sparks curiosity and accelerates learning. We agree with Professor Ethan Mollick when he says it takes about 10 hours or so of playing with one of the frontier AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Bard) and then you will begin to think of myriad use cases for AI in your practice.
4. AI doesn’t replace us, it expands us.
By automating low-level tasks, AI can offer us more time to wonder and think more creatively. With time freed up, we can think faster, decide quicker, and act with intent. AI should be positioned as a collaborator within your team. This reframes AI as a tool for empowerment rather than competition.
5. Expect efficiency boosts.
The very least you can hope for from AI is productivity gains. It can save individuals and teams significant time each week. Use AI to handle routine tasks, and you have more bandwidth for strategic, high-value tasks that actually drive business growth, rather than those that suck time and energy. Identify the most repetitive, time-consuming tasks in your team’s workflow and explore how AI tools can speed them up. For example, use AI to generate first drafts of reports or process data. Track the time saved and reinvest it in more strategic initiatives.
6. Critical thinking is key.
AI outputs can be flawed, biased or just straight up wrong. To get to the team-wide productivity gains, teams will need to think critically to avoid making decisions based on inaccurate data. A good way to tackle this is to build processes for reviewing and validating AI outputs, such as cross-checking key insights and always involving human oversight in final decision-making.
7. AI unlocks innovation.
AI doesn’t just have the power to improve efficiency and productivity; it enables teams to explore new ways of working and opens up opportunities for innovation. AI-literate teams can think bigger and more creatively, developing new solutions and business models. One of the most powerful ways to use AI in an organisation is to use AI in creative problem-solving. Set aside time for brainstorming sessions where AI is part of the process, helping generate ideas or solve complex challenges. Use AI tools to prototype new products or services quickly.
8. AI is evolving at breakneck speed.
AI systems constantly change, meaning foundation knowledge of how it works is essential for continuous learning. Because it changes so frequently, we have to get used to using an experimental mindset – trying things out quickly, evaluating them and creating a plan for next action. This is only really possible through staying up to date with models and releases and trying them as they come out. In teams, this could manifest as be regular training and structured experimentation. We’ve noticed that teams that incorporate AI learning into their goals or KPIs, are able to spot new uses and opportunities for AI as things evolve.
9. AI is now a necessity.
Entire business models are decimated every day because someone else worked out how to do it cheaper (or in some cases for free) using AI. It’s no longer optional — businesses that don’t adopt AI will struggle to stay competitive. Start by identifying key areas where AI can deliver the most impact and create a roadmap for integration. This could include automating customer service, personalising marketing, or enhancing data analytics. The sooner you implement AI, the greater the competitive advantage.
10. AI has the power to change the world.
Without getting too philosophical, AI is having incredibly positive real-world consequences, especially in fields such as science and medicine. In our sector, we must consider how things like bias, privacy, and data security can be considered and addressed to ensure responsible AI use and positive business-related outcomes. For these reasons, any organisation using AI should have clear ethics guidelines. Tools should be audited for bias and privacy risks, and establish a framework for responsible AI use. Employees should be clear on how to use AI safely and ethically.
