In a recent LinkedIn post, Nick Curum challenges the conventional approach to Artificial Intelligence adoption, arguing that many companies are underutilizing its potential by treating it as a mere enhancement to search engines. Curum suggests that the true transformative power of AI lies in its ability to rigorously test business decisions and assumptions.
Curum highlights a distinct divide between companies merely dabbling in AI and those achieving tangible value. He states:
“Most companies are using AI like a better search engine. The interesting ones are using it to test decisions.”
This distinction, according to Curum, is crucial for unlocking AI’s strategic advantage. He points out that while many teams are still focused on using AI for routine tasks like drafting emails, forward-thinking organizations are leveraging it for more critical functions.
AI for Challenging Thinking, Not Just Drafting
Curum elaborates on how progressive companies are integrating AI into their core decision-making processes. He identifies three key areas where AI is proving most impactful:
- Pressure-testing assumptions before meetings
- Challenging the logic within investment cases
- Simulating outcomes prior to decision approval
These applications go beyond simple information retrieval, pushing AI into the realm of analytical support and strategic validation. Curum emphasizes that the tools themselves are only part of the equation.
“These tutorials teach you tools. But tools alone do not change organisations.”
He provides a list of free tutorials from Claude, designed to help users connect AI to their apps, automate tasks, use AI within spreadsheets, validate revenue models, and organize work. While these resources are valuable for acquiring AI skills, Curum reiterates that organizational change stems from how these tools are applied.
The Real Advantage: Challenging the Status Quo
The core of Curum’s argument is that the significant advantage offered by AI is not in efficiency gains for common tasks, but in its capacity to foster critical thinking and robust decision-making.
“Most teams still use AI to write emails. The interesting teams use it to challenge thinking. That is where the real advantage sits.”
By using AI to probe assumptions, scrutinize investment rationales, and model potential results, businesses can move beyond guesswork and make more informed, resilient decisions. Curum’s insights suggest a paradigm shift in how AI should be viewed and implemented within the corporate world – not as a productivity hack, but as a strategic partner in critical evaluation.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Nick Curum on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 23, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →