How Boards Should Be Using AI Now

It’s possible that too much of the AI conversation has centered around operational efficiency and cost-cutting, and not enough on the other benefits these new technologies offer.

I've been thinking about a largely overlooked application: empowering boards of directors with intelligence that transforms their strategic guidance capabilities.

There's a critical disconnect in how boards function today, particularly in midsize companies. 

While Fortune 500 boards have access to specialized research firms like Board Source and similar resources that provide comprehensive market insights, boards at midsize companies are often operating with significant information blindspots.

These directors are tasked with providing strategic guidance and governance oversight, yet many lack the comprehensive intelligence that their counterparts at larger companies take for granted. 

They're making million-dollar decisions based on quarterly reports, management presentations, and their personal networks – all valuable, but inherently limited.

It's not that these board members lack experience or wisdom. On the contrary, they're typically seasoned executives with deep industry knowledge. What they lack is access to the kind of 360-degree intelligence that would illuminate blind spots and reveal opportunities that aren't visible through traditional channels.

Using AI can change all of that if they use these technologies correctly.

Using AI for a 360-Degree View

What would it mean for a midsize company board to have access to hundreds of pages of contextual research – a comprehensive exploration of every aspect of their company, marketplace, and potential futures? Not as an overwhelming data dump, but as an intelligently navigable resource that answers their most critical questions?

This isn't just about more information – it's about different information. 

While management teams are immersed in operational details and near-term performance, boards need a broader context: industry shifts, emerging technologies, regulatory changes, talent landscapes, and competitive dynamics that might not yet be impacting quarterly numbers but will determine long-term success.

AI-powered deep research can deliver this comprehensive view in ways that were previously impossible without dedicated research departments or six-figure consulting engagements. 

For a board that meets quarterly and needs to provide high-level guidance, this contextual intelligence is transformative.

Going Beyond the Current Paradigm

Many company leaders are still operating with an outdated paradigm. The time has come to modernize their approach to developing strategic plans and measuring their success.

But boards have a different responsibility. They're not just managing the company through the next quarter; they're responsible for its long-term sustainability and success. They need to see around corners and identify both threats and opportunities before they become obvious.

For boards to fulfill this responsibility in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing business environment, operating with traditional information flows is increasingly insufficient. The companies that thrive in the coming decade won't just be those with the best operations – they'll be those with the most insightful boards making better strategic choices based on superior intelligence.

At RBI, we're committed to helping boards bridge this intelligence gap, combining advanced AI research capabilities with experienced business leaders who can translate insight into action. In the process, we're redefining what effective board governance looks like in the age of artificial intelligence.