Field notes on AI in business
Practical writing on AI, automation and the day-to-day work of running a business. From the team that builds and runs AI systems.
Artificial intelligence
How to Run an Effective Pilot Program Before Full AI Deployment
An effective AI pilot is a structured experiment designed to test a specific hypothesis with a defined scope, clear metrics, and a deliberate plan for what happens next.
Basel IsmailApr 15, 2026
Automation
Dependency Mapping Reveals How Interconnected Your Processes Really Are
Nobody anticipated the problems because nobody mapped the dependencies before automating. Each team understood their own process. Nobody had a clear picture of how they connected.
Basel IsmailApr 15, 2026
Automation
Priority Ranking Automation Opportunities by Impact and Effort
Without a structured prioritization framework, the decision about where to automate becomes a political negotiation rather than a strategic one.
Basel IsmailApr 15, 2026
Artificial intelligence
How Continuous Optimization Differs From One-Time Implementation
An AI system that is deployed and left alone will degrade. The question is not whether performance will decline, but how quickly and whether anyone will notice.
Basel IsmailApr 15, 2026
Automation
ROI Projections for Automation That Executives Actually Believe
Most automation ROI projections are built to impress rather than to inform. They showcase theoretical maximum savings while omitting the costs and timeline realities executives have been burned by.
Basel IsmailApr 15, 2026
Artificial intelligence
Churn Prediction Models That Catch At-Risk Customers Early
Acquiring a new customer costs 5-7x more than keeping one. Churn prediction models now achieve 95%+ accuracy, identifying at-risk accounts months before cancellation so teams can intervene.
Basel IsmailApr 15, 2026
Get the next article by email
One short email when something new goes up. Practical, no fluff, written by the people who build.
Free. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy policy
Manufacturing
How AI Handles Production Planning for Engineer-to-Order Manufacturers
Engineer-to-order production is inherently unpredictable. AI helps by estimating work content, identifying similar past projects, and dynamically adjusting schedules as designs evolve.
Basel IsmailApr 14, 2026
Law firms
Automated CLE Tracking and Attorney Development Planning
CLE compliance and attorney development are essential but administratively burdensome. AI automates tracking requirements and helps firms plan professional development more strategically.
Basel IsmailApr 14, 2026
Healthcare
How AI Monitors Payer Contract Performance and Identifies Underpayments
Most practices assume payers are paying according to contract terms, but underpayments are surprisingly common. AI systems now compare every payment against contracted rates and flag discrepancies automatically.
Basel IsmailApr 14, 2026
Construction
AI for Tower Crane Anti-Collision Planning on Dense Urban Sites
Multiple tower cranes on a dense urban site create complex anti-collision challenges. AI planning tools map overlap zones and coordinate swing sequences to prevent dangerous conflicts.
Basel IsmailApr 14, 2026
Insurance
Automated Loss Control Inspection Scheduling and Report Generation
Loss control inspections help carriers understand and manage risk, but scheduling, conducting, and reporting on inspections is operationally heavy. AI streamlines the entire process.
Basel IsmailApr 14, 2026
Accounting tax
How Firms Measure the ROI of Technology Investments After Implementation
Buying the tool is easy. Measuring whether it delivered requires discipline and the right metrics tracked over time.
Basel IsmailApr 14, 2026
1,319 articles