Lesson: AI gives founders leverage, not just in how they operate, but in decision-making.

When people talk about AI, they tend to either hype it or hesitate, because most still don’t know how to apply it to their own work. I don’t use AI to replace my thinking. I use it to refine it. The more I use it, the better I become at prompting it, and the more effective it becomes for me. Applying it daily has helped me understand its full potential and optimize the benefits I receive from it.

It’s become an extension of how I operate. I test assumptions faster, scan what’s working across the market, and validate key decisions before committing. I’m not stuck chasing surface takes or piecing together scattered reports. I get to what matters faster, and I trust where it’s taking me. That efficiency also saves money. I don’t need to hire outside help every time I need answers. And when I do bring someone in, I’m already equipped to ask sharper questions and avoid wasting time or budget. I still lean on intuition, but now I back it with credible, clean data I can pull in minutes. Whether I’m modeling financial projections, adjusting pricing, or studying how other founders structure and position their brands, I’m not just guessing; I’m working from stronger inputs every time.

Recently, I used AI to pressure-test our distribution strategy. I rebuilt our 2-tier and 3-tier pricing models using real data from public brands, retailer markups, and production costs. It pointed out blind spots I missed and helped me optimize. I didn’t need a three-week research report. I needed clarity that was fast, credible, and actionable, and AI delivered.

Other Ways I Use AI to Build Smarter

AI’s value isn’t just in how fast it moves, it’s in how it strengthens decisions across every layer of the business. One example? Messaging. I use AI to proofread and pressure-test key communication, like investor emails, pitch decks, or marketing copy. It helps me identify gaps, refine my tone, and support my claims with real data. I’m not just speaking clearly, I’m speaking credibly.

It’s also helped me get smarter internally. Early on, I didn’t fully understand cap tables, advisory agreements, or even how to read a SAFE note properly. AI helped me break down those documents, simplify key terms, and ask better questions before ever looping in legal.

Even with partners, it gave me a competitive edge. I used AI to identify marketing and sales teams with tangible results in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), then reviewed their case studies and contracts against my strategy, not theirs. That saved me from being sold a solution that wasn't right, and helped me stay in control.

Closing Thought

Founders aren’t just builders, we’re decision-makers. And the quality of those decisions compounds over time. That’s where AI has changed the game for me. Not by making moves for me, but by helping me make the right ones with more confidence and less guesswork. AI doesn’t replace my thinking. I’m leveling it up, backing it with intel I can stand on. That’s how each decision now carries a stronger edge.

Stick around. I’m just warming up. 

Subscribe here for more → The Weekly D-Briefs (or forward this to someone building something meaningful)

_{DISCLAIMER - All content by Devraj Patel, including The Weekly D-Brief, is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute business, legal, or personalized advice. No client relationship is created unless agreed upon in writing. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. You are solely responsible for your decisions—always consult appropriate professionals before acting on this content.}