Share

How Growth-Stage Leaders Can Harness AI for Real Impact: 5 Key Takeaways

At Centri’s 2025 Capital Conference, the panel “Cutting Through the Hype: How Can Growth-Stage Investors and Company CEOs Make the Most of AI” brought together forward-thinking leaders—including Centri Partner and AI Practice Leader Kevin McLaughlin—to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the business landscape. The conversation cut through the noise and delivered actionable insights for those navigating the AI frontier. Here are five key takeaways from the conversation.

5 Key Takeaways

1. AI Won’t Replace You—But Someone Using AI Might

The panel opened with a compelling message: AI isn’t going to replace you—but there’s an enormous competitive advantage for those who understand how it can enhance their business. Engaging with AI today isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about staying ahead. Leaders who grasp the strategic value of AI and apply it thoughtfully are better positioned to unlock efficiencies, expand capabilities, and differentiate themselves in the market. Those who learn to leverage AI as a tool for innovation and growth will outpace those who ignore it.

2. Generative AI Marks a Major Shift in Capability

AI has evolved from a predictive tool to a generative force. The panel highlighted two major inflection points driving this transformation. First, natural language interfaces now allow anyone—regardless of technical background—to interact with data and systems. Second, code generation and agent automation are accelerating development cycles, enabling rapid prototyping and deployment without traditional programming bottlenecks. These shifts are democratizing innovation and redefining how businesses build and scale.

3. Responsible AI Requires Human Oversight and Governance

Despite AI’s growing capabilities, human judgment remains essential. The panel emphasized the importance of embedding guardrails, transparency, and observability into AI systems from the outset. Bias and data quality continue to be persistent challenges, and responsible governance must be built in—not bolted on—if AI is to serve its intended purpose ethically and effectively.

4. AI is Transforming Investment and Business Strategy

Even amid broader economic slowdowns, AI remains the most active area in venture capital. Investors are increasingly focused on real commercial applications rather than speculative hype. Many are using AI themselves—for due diligence, scenario modeling, and portfolio optimization—turning the technology inward to sharpen their own decision-making and gain a competitive edge.

5. Domain Expertise + AI = Competitive Advantage

The most successful applications of AI are those that combine deep industry knowledge with strategic deployment. Whether in finance, sports, or entertainment, the winning formula includes a clear understanding of the customer, mastery of the domain, and thoughtful use of AI to enhance—not replace—the core value proposition. AI works best when it amplifies human insight, not when it attempts to substitute for it.

Looking Ahead

As AI continues to evolve, the challenge for growth-stage leaders is not just adoption—it’s integration. The future belongs to those who move beyond experimentation and embed AI into the DNA of their strategy, operations, and culture.

Join us at the 2026 Centri Capital Conference, returning to Nasdaq on April 14, 2026, for another day of actionable perspectives from industry leaders and experts. The event will connect investors with executives from companies in various emerging and rapid-growth sectors, including healthcare, life sciences, disruptive technology, and more. Be part of the conversation shaping the future of capital markets. Learn more at CentriConsulting.com/Capital-Conference.  

Kevin McLaughlin

Partner | Artificial Intelligence & Cannabis Practice Leader | CPA

Kevin is a Partner at Centri Business Consulting, where he leads the firm’s Artificial Intelligence and Cannabis practice groups. Since joining Centri in December 2014, Kevin has specialized in supporting high-growth companies, particularly those in the AI, technology and cannabis industries, through critical stages of their business lifecycle.. View Kevin McLaughlin's Full Bio