AI Strategic · The Zeal AI CoLab
An AI mastermind for leaders who would rather learn together than alone.
The Zeal AI CoLab is a small, confidential group of small-business owners, nonprofit leaders and faith-based leaders who meet every month to explore, test and apply AI, with a trusted guide filtering the noise.
Why "CoLab"?
The name holds two ideas. It's a collaboration: peers learning and applying AI side by side. And it's a laboratory: we experiment with real tools on real problems, and keep what works.
AI adoption is social. Left alone, most of us read about AI more than we use it. In a group that meets every month, someone shows what worked in their organization, someone else adapts it, and good intentions turn into action.
Mixed experience makes it stronger
Worried you're too far behind, or too far ahead? Newer members ask the questions experienced users forgot to ask. Experienced members share what actually worked and what didn't. And an idea from a manufacturer can change how a church office or a law practice works.
Is it right for you?
You'll probably get a lot from the CoLab if most of these sound like you:
- You know AI is reshaping your work but can't tell what's real and what's hype.
- You've tried a few AI tools but haven't seen meaningful impact yet.
- You want practical, curated guidance from someone you can trust.
- You'd move faster learning alongside peers than figuring it out alone.
- You can commit 90 minutes a month, plus three intensives a year.
- You'd welcome a group that holds you accountable.
- You approach new things with curiosity and humility.
It probably isn't, if…
- You're looking for a coding bootcamp. This is for decision-makers; if you can send an email and you're curious, you have the prerequisites.
- You want a course to watch on your own time. Members show up, take part and contribute.
- You're hoping to sell to the other members. The CoLab is a place to learn, not to prospect.
- You need someone to implement AI for you. That's what AI Secure is for.
How it works
Monthly sessions
90 minutes on Zoom: a briefing on what changed in AI this month, hands-on tool spotlights, hot-seat problem solving, and accountability check-ins.
Three intensives a year
In person, Friday afternoon through Saturday, for deep-dive workshops, planning and the relationships that make the monthly sessions work.
A private community
A members-only online space to share discoveries, prompts and resources between sessions, with direct access to Bill for quick questions.
A curated group
10 to 14 members from different industries and sectors, and never two direct competitors in the same cohort.
Our confidentiality promise
The CoLab works because members can speak candidly. As facilitators, we commit to:
- keeping all member information private and secure;
- never sharing a member's business details, strategies or challenges outside the group;
- protecting the ideas and proprietary information shared in sessions;
- keeping the room judgment-free.
Members make the same commitment to each other: what's shared in CoLab stays in CoLab. That's also why you won't find a member list on this site.
What we explore
Topics follow what members need, always with strategy before tools. A sample:
- Prompting that gets consistent business results
- Choosing AI platforms without the hype
- AI security and data privacy for leaders
- Deep research and synthesis for better decisions
- The "Z to A" process workshop, on members' real workflows
- Document analysis: contracts, invoices and reports
- Agentic AI and workflow automation
- Building simple tools in plain English ("vibe coding")
- Spotting AI slop and hallucinations
- Writing an AI policy your team will follow
How to join
- Start a conversation. Tell us a little about your organization and where AI is creating pressure.
- Meet with Bill. A relaxed call to see whether the CoLab fits, what the investment is, and which cohort has room.
- Join a cohort. If it's a fit, and no direct competitor is already in the group, you're in.
Each cohort is capped at 14 members. We discuss the investment in conversation rather than on this page.