AI Without the Intimidation—Takeaways from our latest Breakfast Club
Artificial Intelligence can feel like a tidal wave—fast-moving, powerful, and a little overwhelming. At EFBC’s recent Breakfast Club, AI: Your New Office BFF, members gathered to explore that wave together.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the event:
1. “I thought I could opt out of AI… until I couldn’t.”
Patty Rioux, President of Odea and co-founder of Trybl, opened with honesty and humor. Like many of us, she assumed AI was something she could avoid—or at least leave to someone else on her team. That changed the moment a client used ChatGPT to generate branding ideas and came back with AI-generated icons. “I think we can all agree… they were horrible,” she said, laughing.
But that moment was also pivotal. “It was our first AI-generated client input,” she shared. “And that’s when I realized—I wasn’t going to opt out before this hit my company.”
Instead of resisting, Patty’s team leaned in. They started experimenting—not just with marketing tools, but with operations and internal workflows. She reminded us that AI isn’t just about being tech-savvy, It’s about being adaptable, curious, and open to change.
2. Shared experience > advice
One thing that makes EFBC unique is its commitment to learning through shared experience. In Patty’s words: “In our Forums, we don’t give advice—we share what we’ve been through. And this presentation is no different.”
That mindset shaped the entire event. There were no AI evangelists telling people what to do. There were people sharing what they’ve tried, what worked, what didn’t, and what they’re still figuring out. And that made all the difference.
Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or you’ve already integrated tools into your business, your perspective has value. EFBC is a space where those experiences are heard and honored.
3. AI is already changing how industries operate
Ryan Williams from PSM Partners shifted the lens to a broader view. He highlighted how AI is already embedded in industries we interact with every day—often without us even noticing.
“That’s AI listening. It’s transcribing the visit and doing the backend documentation so doctors can focus on you—and see more patients.”
It’s a powerful reminder that this isn’t some futuristic idea. AI is already here, behind the scenes, saving time and boosting efficiency. And the same is becoming true across sectors—from law to recruiting to logistics.
4. Start small, think smart
Two of Trybl’s founders—JJ Lattea, and Hassan Momin—walked us through their real-world experiments with AI, showing how they’re using tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Figma AI plugins to support their creative process.
- JJ showed how AI can rapidly prototype visual concepts, saving hours in the design phase.
- They emphasized the storytelling side of design, using AI to map out user journeys and generate language that speaks to target audiences.
- Hassan brought the technical lens, sharing how they’re building internal tools and workflows powered by AI to streamline collaboration and handoffs.
Their advice? Don’t try to boil the ocean. Pick one part of your workflow that feels repetitive or messy—and test AI there.
What stood out was how naturally AI fit into each person’s workflow. Not as a replacement, but as a thought partner. A brainstorming buddy. A second set of hands when you’re short on time.
5. The future is collaborative—and a little messy
From mic issues to system crashes, the irony of hosting a tech event with tech struggles wasn’t lost on anyone. But it also reinforced a core truth: trying something new is always a little messy. And that’s okay.
The room was full of members who weren’t afraid to admit what they didn’t know. Who asked hard questions. Who laughed when things didn’t work perfectly. And who walked away inspired to try something anyway.
Final Thoughts
This event wasn’t about becoming AI experts—it was about starting the conversation. Together, we explored how AI is already showing up in our businesses, how it can support creativity and efficiency, and how we can begin to experiment in ways that make sense for us.
Thank you to our strategic partners, PSM Partners and ODEA, for helping bring this event to life. A special thanks to the team at Trybl for sharing your tools, process, and perspective. And to our EFBC members, thank you for showing up with curiosity, honesty, and a willingness to learn.
See you all at the next event!