#13 - AI Competitive Edge & Strategy
Episode 13 Recap: “AI Strategy Is a Marathon—Not a Sprint”
In Episode 13 of The Conversation with Model Mind AI, Angela Schultz and Loren Horsager draw parallels between building an AI strategy and running a marathon. It’s about pacing, endurance, and the discipline to learn while moving forward. From avoiding “wait-and-see” paralysis to strengthening cross-department collaboration, this episode breaks down how organizations can build sustainable AI momentum.
Key Insights:
ROI in early AI efforts should focus on learning and experimentation.
Falling behind competitors poses greater risk than initial missteps.
Cross-functional AI strategy teams accelerate adoption and alignment.
Internal knowledge sharing is as important as technology itself.
Futureproofing requires adaptable tools, documented knowledge, and cultural buy-in.
Prompt of the Week: Build a “good vs. bad” example GPT to streamline feedback and raise work quality before it ever hits your manager’s inbox.
Listen Here:
The Conversation with Model Mind AI YouTube
the Conversation with Model Mind AI | Podcast on Spotify
the Conversation with Model Mind AI Podcast on Amazon Music
the Conversation with Model Mind AI - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
AI Strategy Is a Marathon:
How to Build Endurance, Innovation, and Competitive Edge
Artificial intelligence isn’t a quick win—it’s a long-distance event. In this episode of The Conversation with Model Mind AI, Angela Schultz and Loren Horsager explore what it takes to stay in the race. Their marathon metaphor frames the realities of AI adoption: the early struggle to find rhythm, the middle miles of discipline and experimentation, and the finish line of measurable transformation.
The Starting Line: Rethinking ROI
Most leaders want to see immediate results from AI, but Loren emphasizes that the real ROI isn’t efficiency—it’s education. The low cost of modern AI tools allows teams to test, fail, and learn faster than ever before. Measuring success by what your organization learns—and how many experiments you run—creates the foundation for meaningful innovation later.
Angela adds that simply giving employees access to tools like ChatGPT Team can spark understanding and excitement. For about the cost of a team lunch each month, organizations can provide practical exposure that fuels future success.
Avoiding the “Wait-and-See” Trap
Many leaders still hesitate to act, hoping to avoid missteps. But Loren warns that the greater danger lies in waiting too long. Competitors that adopt AI early are already gaining efficiency and experimenting with new business models. He shares stories from law firms and software developers who are rethinking billing structures and project delivery because of AI’s influence.
Angela notes that Microsoft Copilot’s dramatic improvements in 2025 are proof that revisiting tools regularly is essential. If a solution disappointed you a year ago, try it again—AI evolves quickly, and so should your strategy.
Building the Right AI Team
Who owns AI strategy? According to Loren, the answer depends on company size. Small businesses can start with a cross-functional group of five to seven people who meet regularly to test ideas and share results. IT should lead security decisions, but business leaders must drive ROI discussions. The key is executive sponsorship paired with bottom-up participation.
Angela has seen this in training rooms: when departments learn together, they discover hidden efficiencies and gain empathy for each other’s work. That shared understanding strengthens culture just as much as it drives innovation.
Finding Your Pace in the Middle Miles
Once organizations move past the initial excitement, the goal becomes sustainability. Loren describes AI as a thinking partner—one that helps companies ideate, plan, and make strategic decisions. Model Mind’s latest experiments with “Board of Advisors Agents” exemplify how multiple AI agents can simulate diverse executive perspectives for better strategy.
Angela connects this to her Copilot 201 course, where she teaches how to build both operational and strategic agents. “Start with doing,” she says, “then move to thinking.” The rhythm of progress is incremental, but every mile builds confidence and clarity.
Innovation and Disruption Ahead
As the race accelerates, industries are already shifting. Loren predicts that legal, software development, and marketing will see the most disruption in 2026, with accounting close behind. Yet he reminds listeners that the goal isn’t job reduction—it’s better utilization of talent. When repetitive work is automated, teams can focus on creative, strategic, and human-centered impact.
Angela shares a story of an NBA team that used AI to automate fan communications. Instead of cutting staff, they re-imagined their roles to create immersive fan experiences—proof that thoughtful AI integration can enhance both employee satisfaction and customer engagement.
Future-Proofing for the Finish Line
Tools will evolve, interfaces will change, and some platforms will disappear—but the organizations that understand how to learn will always stay ahead. Loren advises companies to build knowledge in-house, document processes, and prioritize adaptability over perfection. Angela echoes that sentiment: custom GPTs and Copilot agents can grow and shift alongside your team, ensuring your tools evolve as fast as your business.
Prompt of the Week: A Feedback Coach in Your Pocket
Angela closes the episode with a practical idea: capture examples of great and poor work, then train ChatGPT to evaluate new drafts against those benchmarks. Managers save review time, and employees gain structured, judgment-free feedback. It’s an easy win that demonstrates how AI can elevate collaboration and confidence.
Final Thoughts
Endurance, not speed, determines success in AI strategy. As Loren summarizes, “You won’t get 100 percent ROI on your first project—but the learning compounding across your organization will be worth far more.”
The marathon has begun. Those who train, pace themselves, and keep learning will find that every mile of effort pays off.