Published October 29, 2026 · Datapath
AI is moving fast. Is your business moving with it?
Almost every business leader we talk to agrees on one thing: AI matters. What they don’t agree on, or often don’t know, is where it actually pays off.
The headlines make it sound like every company has already figured it out. The reality inside most organizations is quieter. A few employees are experimenting with ChatGPT. Someone has a pilot running in one department. Leadership is asking for a plan, and nobody is quite sure where to start.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not behind. You’re exactly where most leaders are right now.
What questions are leaders really asking?
Once you get past the hype, the conversations we have with executives tend to come back to the same handful of questions.
Where is AI delivering real results?
Not in theory, and not at a tech giant with an unlimited budget, but at businesses like ours, with real budgets and real teams.
What comes after ChatGPT?
Chat tools were the starting point for most people. The bigger opportunities are often in automating repetitive work, getting more value from data you already have, and helping teams make faster decisions.
What are other leaders doing?
It’s hard to judge your own progress without knowing what your peers are trying, where they’ve succeeded, and what’s holding them back.
Where should we focus first?
With so many possibilities, the risk isn’t moving too slowly. It’s spreading effort across too many experiments that never turn into measurable value.
Why do the answers start with a conversation?
There’s no shortage of AI content online. What’s harder to find is an honest conversation with people facing the same decisions you are.
That’s why we’re hosting Beyond the Prompt: The AI Executive Exchange, a small, in-person gathering for local business owners and executive leaders.
Datapath co-founder James Bates will open with real-world examples of where AI is creating measurable business value, then turn the floor over to the room for a candid exchange. You’ll hear what your peers are experiencing firsthand, ask the questions that matter to your business, and leave with practical ideas you can take back to your leadership team.
What will you take away?
- Real-world AI success stories with measurable ROI and cost savings
- A clearer view of what’s next beyond ChatGPT
- Insight into what other business leaders are doing, and what’s holding them back
- A sharper sense of where to focus next to turn AI into a competitive advantage
Join us for brunch on November 4
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 · 10–11:30 a.m. PST · Modesto, California. Brunch served, with 25 seats opened to keep the exchange personal.
Reserve your seatAI is moving fast. The leaders who get the most from it won’t necessarily be the ones who move first. They’ll be the ones who move with a clear plan. We hope you’ll join the conversation.