Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

Midweek brain fog? Let the AI headlines jolt you back.

On the Sidecar Sync Podcast, association leaders get a crash course in winning over hesitant boards. Spoiler: It’s not just about the tech.

And speaking of trust—new guidelines from the NSA and friends tackle how to secure the data feeding your AI systems.

Oh, and Claude’s getting chatty with a brand-new voice mode.

The week’s not over yet....

Here's another crazy day in AI:

• Getting the board involved

• Agencies issue new AI data security guidance

• Voice mode arrives for Claude

• Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Get Your Board to Yes

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)

What does it take to genuinely engage your board in conversations about emerging technology like AI?

In a recent episode of the Sidecar Sync podcast, hosts Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias explore the nuanced task of getting your board aligned with AI initiatives. Drawing on Amith’s firsthand experience serving on and working with boards, and Mallory’s background in understanding what motivates board dynamics, the discussion brings clarity to a topic that often feels complex and even intimidating. It’s not just about explaining what AI does—it’s about communicating why it matters in a way that resonates with the people responsible for guiding an organization’s long-term direction.

The conversation is grounded in the realities of association life. Many board members are volunteers with deep roots in their industries and professions, but they may not view AI as an immediate concern—or may not fully grasp its relevance to the member experience. Through examples and practical strategies, Amith and Mallory unpack how to bridge that gap, from selecting the right use case to presenting ideas in a format that encourages both trust and understanding.

Some points explored in the episode:

• Board support is often tied to clarity around purpose, outcomes, and timing—not necessarily hesitation about technology

• Motivations vary; understanding individual board members can help tailor your approach

• Framing AI as a response to specific organizational needs makes it easier to engage the board meaningfully

• Pilot projects, even modest ones, can provide early proof of value

• Demonstrations—especially those that connect to the board’s own work or concerns—can be more persuasive than explanation

• Internal processes matter; knowing when and how to present a proposal affects how it’s received

• Repeated engagement, rather than one-off pitches, builds understanding over time

• Informal conversations outside formal meetings can offer useful context and build support

What stands out in this conversation is its balance. There’s no overpromising. Instead, it gives practical advice grounded in the kinds of conversations many leaders are already having—or trying to have—with their boards. If your organization is starting to explore AI and you're unsure how to introduce it to a governance-level audience, this discussion offers a place to start. It doesn’t assume every board is ready. It suggests that part of leadership is making space for that readiness to develop.

The real work, as the episode suggests, often begins with listening—getting a sense of where people are coming from, what matters to them, and where AI intersects with their concerns. For leaders working in mission-driven organizations, that’s a familiar path. This episode simply applies that lens to one of today’s most rapidly evolving tools and shows that thoughtful communication, patience, and clarity still matter most.

Watch the Podcast on Youtube here.

Listen on Apple Podcasts here.

Listen on Spotify here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

Agencies Issue New AI Data Security Guidance

/American Hospital Association Newsroom

A new multi-agency guide from the NSA, CISA, and global partners offers vital recommendations on securing data used in artificial intelligence and machine learning systems. The guidance outlines risks such as poisoned data, data drift, and vulnerabilities in the data supply chain—especially relevant for sectors like healthcare. With best practices that include sourcing reliable datasets, applying encryption, and validating trusted changes via digital signatures, this is a foundational reference for those developing or deploying AI. Health care leaders, in particular, are urged to consult this document to ensure secure AI governance across the system lifecycle.

Read more here.

Voice Mode Arrives for Claude

/Kyle Wiggers, AI Editor, on TechCrunch

Anthropic has started rolling out voice mode for its Claude chatbot app, allowing users to hold full spoken conversations. Currently in beta and powered by Claude Sonnet 4, voice mode supports natural dialogue with features like voice-to-text summaries, live transcripts, and five distinct voice options. Users can seamlessly switch between text and voice and, for paid subscribers, even connect Claude with Google Calendar and Gmail. With voice rapidly becoming a new frontier in AI interaction, Claude joins the ranks of OpenAI, Google, and xAI in offering speech-based chat.

Read more here.

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

• Morphik – Open-source AI that answers questions from private docs and reports.

• OpusClip Thumbnail – Generate eye-catching thumbnails in one click.

• SchedX – Chats with site visitors and books meetings for you automatically.

That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.

Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉

EXCITING NEWS:

The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!

Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content: As part of our commitment to exploring new technologies, we used AI to help curate and refine our newsletters. This enriches our content and keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring you stay informed with the latest trends and developments.