AI Becomes a Board Member and Thought Partner

The real AI unlock? Thought partnership.

For most execs, AI starts as a novelty. For Greg Shove, CEO at Section AI, it triggered a company-wide pivot.

In this week’s episode of This New Way, Greg shares how Section went from an online ed startup to an AI workforce transformation company, and what they’ve learned helping other companies pivot into the world of AI.

Inside this episode: How to track AI-driven productivity, redesign workflows, and create a “second brain” for your org using Claude.

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Keep reading to get the step-by-step tutorials and AI tools mentioned in this episode. 👇

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Tutorial 1: Create an AI second brain for your company

Busy execs can’t afford to re-upload context every time they ask AI for help. This playbook builds persistent memory into your workflows.

1. Set up a shared Claude project

• Use Anthropic's Claude (Pro) and create a project workspace (e.g. “Section Expert”).

• Invite your team for shared access and collaboration.

2. Upload core company context

• Include your OKRs, operating principles, business plan, pricing models, style guide, and “working with me” docs.

• Keep it up to date: Greg’s Chief of Staff curates the files weekly.

3. Centralize usage

• Direct your team to brainstorm, plan, and draft inside this Claude project.

• Benefits: faster onboarding, better AI responses, and fewer outdated references.

Pro Tip: Encourage a “talk to AI first” culture

• Greg requires that every proposal or plan be tested through AI before it's pitched.

• Tip: Use a persistent AI monitor (one tab each for Claude, GPT, and Perplexity) to nudge daily usage.

Tutorial 2: Use AI to prep for board meetings (or replace one)

Greg roleplays with AI before every board meeting and 90% of the time, AI predicts what the humans say.

1. Feed AI your full board deck

• Upload the same materials your board gets—slides, agenda, product roadmap.

2. Assign board member personas

• Examples: conservative investor, growth-minded VC, disengaged member.

• Greg’s Prompt:

3. Run a dry run with AI

• Interrogate the plan. Ask about pricing, runway, GTM strategy, or hiring.

• Capture unexpected insights or blind spots before you're in the room.

4. Track performance over time

• Compare AI feedback to your actual board conversation.

• Section found Claude performed at 90% of the human board’s value.

Pro Tip: Ask board members to use AI too. Greg sends them prompts alongside the pre-read deck.

Tools mentioned

• Claude (Anthropic): Used to build a company-wide second brain and simulate board member personas

• GPT (OpenAI): Used as a daily thought partner and board advisor

• Perplexity: A go-to AI for fast, accurate information lookups

• ProfAI (Section’s product): An AI-powered coach designed to teach people how to use AI effectively

• ChatGPT for Teams: Mentioned as a better, paid alternative to free-tier tools

• Gemini Pro: Noted for its screen-sharing and future context-awareness potential

• Copilot (Microsoft): One of several LLM tools tested during board simulations

Why this matters

AI isn’t just a tool, it’s a team member. Leaders like Greg are proving it’s the key to faster decisions, better planning, and scalable thinking.

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Until next time,

Aydin Mirzaee

CEO at Fellow AI and Host of “This New Way” podcast