While AI is useful for research, prohibit its use for filling out critical deal prep documents. Forcing reps to manually type out objectives, pain points, and specific questions ensures they are actively thinking and internalizing the information, rather than passively summarizing it with technology.

The discipline of writing down your thought process is crucial for decision analysis. AI now amplifies this by creating a searchable, analyzable record of your thinking over time, helping you identify blind spots and get objective feedback on your reasoning.

There's a clear division of labor for writing at Anthropic. AI handles rote summarization and data readouts. But for documents requiring original thought or vision—like strategic essays—using AI is culturally discouraged, as the act of writing is inseparable from the act of thinking.

The act of writing—structuring arguments, choosing words, and building a narrative—is a critical part of the thinking process. Relying too heavily on AI to generate text can cause you to skip this essential step of intellectual labor, resulting in weaker, less-developed ideas.

The value of a corporate or government memo often lies in the rigorous thinking process the author underwent. If an LLM generates the memo, it raises concern that a crucial thought process was skipped, leading to a form of organizational deskilling where the proof of work is lost.

Even when AI can perform a task better, professionals should consciously reserve activities for themselves. Tasks core to one's professional identity, credibility, and personal fulfillment—like authentic writing for an expert—should remain human-driven. The mantra is "just because it can doesn't mean it should."

To adopt AI without sacrificing accuracy, BlackRock established a "first draft principle." AI can generate the initial version of any document—from client presentations to prospectuses—but it must then pass through the rigorous, multi-layered human review process already in place, ensuring control and quality.

CPP Investments created a multi-agent AI reviewer called a "memo coach." It analyzes draft investment recommendations through various lenses—logic, risk scenarios, value creation, communication—to identify weaknesses and generate prioritized questions for the team to address before the official review.

After 40 years of using algorithms for decision-making, Ray Dalio cautions that AI cannot replace human judgment. It lacks values, emotions, and inspiration. Leaders should treat AI as a powerful partner to augment their thinking, not as an oracle to be blindly followed.