AI & Automation Services
From safe AI launch projects to full AI program leadership, Mainstay helps organizations adopt, govern, and scale artificial intelligence into a strategic engine for operations, growth, and competitive advantage.
AI Built for Real Teams, Real Work, and Real Impact
AI adoption is accelerating across every industry. Teams are already experimenting with new tools, enabling AI features in existing software, and exploring automation across daily work. As interest grows, leadership teams tend to ask the same core questions:
-
Where should we start?
-
How do we align AI use with our values and risk posture?
-
How do we turn experimentation into real business impact?
Mainstay helps SMB and mid-market leaders answer these questions with clarity and confidence. Our governance-first approach supports real work, real people, and real outcomes, without unnecessary complexity.
AI creates the most value when ownership, guardrails, and expectations are clear.
Successful organizations consistently:
-
Establish responsibility and oversight early
-
Give teams shared guidance and practical training
-
Align AI efforts with business priorities
-
Measure progress in ways leaders can explain and trust
Our services are designed to meet organizations where they are and support steady, sustainable progress, from safe first wins to AI as a strategic engine.
At a Glance
The table below provides a quick snapshot of our AI & automation services, followed by brief service descriptions to help you choose the right path forward.
AI & Automation Service Descriptions
Frontier — AI Launch
What it is
A focused 3–6 week project designed to help your organization safely turn AI on for the first time. You get a production-ready AI platform, clear usage guardrails, hands-on training, and a prioritized path forward—all delivered quickly and confidently.
Key components
-
Launch one approved, business-grade AI platform (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude)
-
Establish clear AI governance with a concise AI Use Policy and “How We Use AI Here” guide
-
Deliver a live 90–120 minute training for a pilot team
-
Provide a short opportunity summary outlining 2–3 high-value next steps
Forge — Partner Pilot
What it is
A three-month, hands-on pilot focused on building and proving one high-impact AI workflow. This engagement delivers a working AI agent, measurable outcomes, and a reusable pattern your organization can expand over time.
Structure & inclusions
-
Month 1 — Design & Prototype: Discovery, sample review, intake design, and Version 1 workflow
-
Month 2 — Tuning & Rollout: Real-world usage, prompt and logic refinement, training, and handoff
-
Month 3 — Support & Outcomes: Stabilization, refinements, outcomes review, and case story capture
Foundational — AI Essentials (Advisor Tier)
What it is
A 12-month advisory and enablement partnership built for organizations that want to adopt AI safely, responsibly, and with confidence—without committing to ongoing build work.
Key inclusions
Training & enablement
-
Quarterly AI Essentials cohort sessions
-
Annual live virtual staff training
-
Continuously updated micro-learning library and quick guides
Advisory
-
Ask-an-expert access for guidance and decision support
-
Annual executive check-ins covering risk, opportunity, and governance
Governance & security
-
AI platform setup, management, and governance review
-
Quarterly mini-governance checks and acceptable-use updates
Forefront — AI in Daily Operations (Strategy Partner)
What it is
A 12-month partnership focused on turning AI experiments into embedded, repeatable workflows that deliver measurable results across daily operations.
Key inclusions
Readiness & governance
-
AI maturity assessment and roadmap
-
Risk and opportunity planning
-
AI Council participation and quarterly governance updates
Automations & agents
-
Up to 4 hours per month of AI automation or agent development
-
A required early-win workflow delivered in the first 90 days
-
Clear pilot-to-production standards for every workflow
Training & vendor AI enablement
-
Quarterly organization-wide training with role-based templates
-
Vendor AI scan and adoption support across departments
Flourish — AI as a Strategic Engine (Leadership Tier)
What it is
A fractional AI leadership partnership designed for organizations ready to treat AI as a core strategic capability—spanning governance, operations, culture, and transformation.
Key inclusions
Program ownership
-
Ongoing ownership of AI policy, playbook, and roadmap
-
Co-leadership of the AI Council, including agenda, metrics, and backlog
-
Monthly governance dashboards and quarterly executive reviews
Automation & workflow development
-
Up to 8 hours per month of advanced AI agent and workflow development
-
Support for complex, multi-step and cross-department workflows
Culture & leadership
-
Executive coaching on AI risk, operating model shifts, and decision-making
-
Role-based training tracks and change-management support
Why Organizations Choose Mainstay for AI & Automation
