Sidecar Blog

AI strategy

Illustration of a glass-blower shaping a new glass vessel, representing the creation of new value.

5 min read

Beyond Automation: Creating New Forms of Value with AI

“How many hours can we save?” It is the first question most leadership teams ask when they start exploring artificial intelligence. The math is...

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A glowing desk lamp illuminates blueprints and a compass at the head of an empty boardroom table.

5 min read

Why Your AI-Native Strategy Needs a Dedicated Leader

The conventional wisdom in association management dictates that new technology belongs in the IT department. When a new association management system...

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An illustration of an architect using a magnifying glass to inspect a complex blueprint on a drafting table.

5 min read

From Wizard to Patron: The New Reality of Commissioning AI Work

The way professionals interact with artificial intelligence is undergoing a quiet but fundamental transformation. For the past couple of years, the...

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An illustration of a modular workshop with interchangeable tools on a pegboard.

5 min read

The 'TV Metaphor' for Choosing Your AI Model Strategy

Associations are intimately familiar with the concept of vendor lock-in. For decades, technology planning has often meant choosing a single ecosystem...

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A brass magnifying glass focuses on a single out-of-place data point on a hand-drawn scatter plot.

5 min read

Stop Asking AI to Write. Start Asking It to Find Paradoxes.

For many association professionals, artificial intelligence has become the ultimate administrative assistant. We use it to draft newsletters,...

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Illustration of a weaver working at a loom, representing the process of weaving individual threads into a cohesive organizational fabric.

6 min read

What Is 'Owned Intelligence' and Why It Matters to Associations

Associations have long thrived on a very specific, highly valuable asset: deep, historical understanding of their members and their industries. This...

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An illustration of a sunlit greenhouse with thriving plants in one section and empty pots in another, representing the environment needed for growth.

5 min read

Why Your AI Culture Is Your Greatest Competitive Advantage

When association leaders discuss the future of artificial intelligence, the conversation almost inevitably turns to talent. The instinct is sound:...

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A brass drafting compass drawing an arc on architectural blueprints, representing precision and strategic direction.

5 min read

The Agency Equation: 4 Modes of Working With AI

Many association professionals have already taken the first step with artificial intelligence. They have logged into a platform, typed a prompt, and...

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Illustration of a bookbinder's hands carefully stitching the spine of a ledger

5 min read

Why Only Humans Can Be Accountable in an AI-Driven Knowledge Ecosystem

The volume of scientific and professional knowledge published each year is staggering. For associations and professional societies, which serve as...

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