On Technology & AI

Tech Optimists

Our clients deserve solutions that are thoughtful, efficient, and grounded in reality—not technology for technology’s sake. That means we explore new tools enthusiastically, evaluate them critically, and integrate them thoughtfully.

Our Approach

Our AI philosophy, in practice

From the moment generative AI began reshaping creative and knowledge work, we chose to engage with it directly: testing tools, refining workflows, studying limitations, and helping clients think realistically about what these technologies can and cannot do.

After thousands of hours using a wide range of tools, we’re not neutral on AI: We believe it has the potential to unlock human capability in ways we’re only beginning to understand. Every good worker we know has more to do than they can ever finish — and if AI gives people the capacity to finally get to the next thing, we believe there’s a good case for optimism.

But we’re also clear-eyed about the risks. We monitor the constantly-evolving landscape to note how AI is changing our work and our world, and we use these tools with checks in place, healthy skepticism, and a firm commitment to serving people, not replacing them.

Our team uses AI to accelerate research, reduce administrative friction, explore ideas faster, and create more capacity for high-value human work. But judgment, taste, empathy, and strategic thinking still belong to people — and always will. Every deliverable we produce is guided by human expertise, reviewed with care, and shaped around the people it’s meant to serve.

How We Work

Four principles, shaped by experience.

These principles shape how we evaluate tools, advise clients, protect information, and integrate AI into our own work.

Principle 1

Judgment over automation

AI can accelerate execution, but it cannot replace discernment. The real value still comes from people who know how to frame the problem, ask better questions, recognize weak thinking, refine rough ideas, and shape work with clarity and intention.

We use AI to support the creative and analytical process, not to bypass it. Every deliverable is reviewed, edited, validated, and ultimately owned by a human being with expertise and accountability.

Principle 2

Use technology to elevate people

We believe the best use of AI is reducing unnecessary friction so people can spend more time on meaningful, strategic, and creative work. Most professionals already have more valuable work than time to accomplish it.

When AI helps reduce repetitive tasks, accelerate drafting, organize information, or simplify workflows, that creates space for deeper thinking, better collaboration, and stronger outcomes. Our goal is not replacing people. It’s helping people do their best work.

Principle 3

Stay curious. Test constantly.

Our clients rely on us to understand emerging tools, evolving workflows, and the changing expectations of modern learners and audiences. That means we actively experiment, evaluate platforms critically, track industry shifts, and continuously refine how we work.

We believe thoughtful adoption matters more than hype, and practical value matters more than novelty. We stay optimistic because we’ve seen these tools create real efficiencies and unlock new possibilities — when implemented with care.

Principle 4

Verify everything. Protect what matters.

AI output should never be treated as inherently accurate, unbiased, or production-ready. We verify claims, validate sources, review for nuance and context, and apply human oversight throughout the process.

We also take client confidentiality and proprietary information seriously, using discretion about what tools are appropriate for different types of work and maintaining strong internal safeguards around sensitive data.

Why we’re optimistic

1 Productivity Lift

40%

Of working hours could be augmented by generative AI

McKinsey estimates that 60–70% of activities employees do today have automation potential thanks to generative AI — freeing roughly 40% of working hours for higher-value work.

Source · McKinsey Global Institute, 2023

2 Hours Back

+11hrs / wk

The average knowledge worker reclaims with AI assistance

Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index found Copilot users save an average of 11 hours per week — a full workday and a half — on writing, summarization, and information-finding.

Source · Microsoft & LinkedIn Work Trend Index, 2024

3 The Adoption Gap

3.0×

Companies that train on AI outperform those that don’t

Organizations with structured AI upskilling programs are roughly 3× more likely to report measurable productivity gains than those rolling out tools without training.

Source · BCG, AI at Work, 2024

4 Upskilling Mandate

44%

Of workers’ core skills will need reskilling by 2027

The World Economic Forum projects that nearly half of all skills currently used in the workplace will be disrupted within five years — a generational opportunity for organizations that move first on training.

Source · World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs, 2023

Let’s Build It

Ready to weave AI into your culture on purpose?

From AI literacy programs to workflow integration — let’s talk scope and approach.

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