AI Business Foundations · Use AI
Choose Your AI Implementation Path
The decision framework for routing AI decisions across three paths: Use AI, Automate with AI, and Build with AI.
7 lessons · 74 minutes
Before starting: Completed AI Foundations: How AI Works (Non-Technical) · A shortlist of business tasks you want AI to improve
Start courseWhat you walk away with
- Route any AI opportunity through a Use AI, Automate with AI, or Build with AI decision tree
- Map your top three business tasks to a concrete implementation path
- Judge the cost, speed, and control trade-offs across all three paths
- Produce an implementation action plan with your next steps sequenced
- A tested prompt or customer-facing workflow you can run this week. Every artifact saves to your workspace, so you keep it after the course ends.
- A knowledge-check quiz and a visual walkthrough inside every one of the 7 lessons, about 1 hours of guided work.
- Most lessons close with a checklist, template, or do-it-this-week task, so progress shows up in your work, not just in the app.
The Three AI Implementation Paths
An overview of the three distinct ways to implement AI in your business - Use, Automate, and Build - and why choosing the right path for your situation matters more than choosing the best tool.
Deep Dive: The Use AI Path
Everything you need to know to execute the Use AI path well - from prompt building to workflow integration to knowing when you've mastered this path enough to move on.
Deep Dive: The Automate with AI Path
A practical guide to AI automation for small businesses - what's worth automating, how to choose tools, and how to build your first automation without breaking your existing workflows.
Deep Dive: The Build with AI Path
When it makes sense to build a custom AI tool for your business, what you can realistically build without coding, and how to evaluate whether the investment is justified.
The AI Decision Tree for Your Business
A structured framework for deciding which AI path is right for each task in your business - so you stop guessing and start choosing based on clear criteria.
Mapping Your Top 3 Business Tasks to a Path
A structured exercise for identifying your top three highest-value AI opportunities and mapping each one to the right implementation path with a concrete plan.
Your Implementation Path Action Plan
Consolidate your path choices and task mapping into a written 90-day implementation plan - with milestones, measurement, and a decision framework for what comes next.