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Field Notes
Eighteen articles including the six-part AI Builder’s Playbook for non-technical readers, tool-building guides and lessons from operating our own software.
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Articles, guides and tools for the work.
Learn about working with AI, building useful tools and making business decisions. Start with the basics, explore a topic at your own pace, or ask about guided training for yourself or your team.
Learn independently
New to AI? Begin here.
The AI Builder’s Playbook is a free, six-part reading series for non-technical learners. Start with how AI works, then practice giving it a clear task before moving on to building tools.
Step 1 · Understand
AI isn’t magic.
Learn what AI can help with and why context, tasks and constraints matter.
Read the first lesson ↗Step 2 · Practice
Give AI a useful brief.
Practice writing clear prompts and judging whether the response meets your needs.
Practice prompting ↗Keep going
Explore the full series.
Continue through building, iteration, build-versus-buy decisions and choosing tools.
Browse the learning series ↗Get training
Prefer to learn with guidance?
Follow a structured AI learning program, from the basics to practical workflows and responsible use. Discuss a format for yourself, your team or your organization.
Explore training for individuals and teams ↗Hire Textstone
Need help putting ideas to work?
Our consulting practices support business strategy, operations, technology and organizational change.
Explore consulting services ↗Featured articles
Technology decisions
Build vs. buy: when to use AI and when to use software
Stops you from building AI you do not need, or buying software that will not fit.
ReadWorking with vendors and AI
The specification is the product
Shows why a bad brief wastes money whether the work goes to a contractor or an AI tool.
ReadOperating technology
The phantom fix: why your deploy did not actually work
Explains why a deploy can succeed and still leave the old, broken version running for users.
ReadAI and data
The case for hybrid AI
Lays out a middle path that protects sensitive data without giving up what cloud AI does well.
ReadRunning a business
Your financial model is a lie (build a living one)
Warns that the model you built for a loan is already out of date, and shows the fix.
ReadPractical AI
How to talk to AI: prompt fundamentals for business people
Gives a five-part prompt formula and templates so AI stops wasting your time and starts helping.
ReadOpen-source guide
AI Strategy Field Guide
A practical framework for organizations thinking about AI: use-case identification, build-versus-buy decisions, governance and implementation roadmaps. Free on GitHub.
View on GitHubNewsletter
Notes of a Nomad
Longer essays on building with AI, owning your work and thinking clearly, written by our founder and sent by email.
Subscribe on SubstackArticles reflect their publication dates. Tool capabilities and pricing may change; check current product information before choosing a tool.
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