False Starts: AI Strategy, Better Decisions, & What the Hype is Really About

​AI is showing up everywhere, fast. Leaders feel pressure to move quickly, experiment broadly, and signal progress—even when it’s not clear what problem AI is meant to solve or how it should change how decisions are made.

​This roundtable focuses on AI at the strategic level, not the tool level. It’s about what Chiefs of Staff are seeing in practice: unclear definitions of “AI strategy,” a rush to adopt without shared intent, and growing tension between moving fast and making better decisions. Participants will explore how to slow the conversation down just enough to bring clarity, where AI genuinely helps thinking and planning, and where restraint leads to stronger long-term outcomes.

​Here are some real practitioner questions/challenges we will explore together:

• ​What does “AI strategy” actually mean for us? "I’m partnering closely with my executive to build an AI strategy, but we’re still working through what that actually means beyond tools and experimentation."

• ​Are we moving too fast on AI? "There’s a strong AI rat-race feeling right now—pressure to move fast even when it’s not clear where real advantage exists."

• ​How do we use AI to make better decisions? "We’ve learned a lot about AI for productivity, but we’re still figuring out how to use it responsibly for strategic thinking and decision-making."

• ​Where should we hold back on AI? "For me, the real tension isn’t adoption—it’s knowing where restraint with AI leads to better long-term outcomes."