CTO Roundtable Recap: Unlocking Business Value with AI & Data hosted by Cloud Communications Group
Mike Stute, Chief Information Security Officer for Cloud Communications Group shares the evolution of AI’s exponential growth and give practical examples of how companies are driving business results during the Montana High Tech Business Alliance's CTO Roundtable: Unlocking Business Value with AI & Data on August 20, 2025 at Missoula College.
August 26, 2025
By Christina Henderson
On August 20, 2025, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance partnered with Cloud Communications Group to host a CTO Roundtable at Missoula College, bringing together technology and business leaders from across Montana to explore the transformative potential of AI and data.
Keynote speaker Mike Stute of Cloud Communications Group traced the history of AI from early chess-playing machines to today’s advanced large language models, highlighting how breakthroughs in pattern recognition and workflow automation are shaping modern business applications. He shared real-world use cases, including AI assistants for logistics and data reconciliation tools for finance, while underscoring the importance of privacy and security when deploying AI.
The conversation that followed touched on:
AI in the workplace and education - from automating expense reports to supporting teaching and student productivity.
Adoption and ROI - outcome-based pricing models, integration into core processes, and the need for strategic implementation.
AI models and tools - comparing Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, and Copilot, and discussing the promise of smaller, specialized models tailored to business contexts.
Opportunities and challenges - fraud detection, compliance, reputation management, power consumption, and the ethics of bias and transparency.
Participants emphasized that while AI will inevitably reshape some roles, it also creates new opportunities and efficiencies. The consensus: organizations that strategically integrate AI into operations will unlock significant business value.
The roundtable closed with a clear message: AI and data are no longer abstract concepts. They are tools leaders must thoughtfully adopt to drive innovation and remain competitive.
Resources:
“AI now with Mike Stute” - Podcast exploring the future of business in the age of artificial intelligence, hosted by CCG’s Mike Stute
Cloud Communications Group (CCG) - Strategic IT advisory and expense management firm helping enterprises navigate complexity, optimize spending, and drive technology transformation
Montana High Tech Business Alliance Webinar Archive - Recordings of previous webinars, trainings, and panel discussions
Panelist emails for further inquiries:
Mcgregor Cooper (CCG Montana Representative): mcgregor[at]cloudcom.net
Keith Hatley: keith.hatley[at]cloudcom.net
Chris Moffett: chris[at]cloudcom.net
Mike Stute: mike[at]cloudcom.net
About the Publisher: Launched in 2014, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance is a nonpartisan nonprofit association of more than 200 high tech and manufacturing companies and affiliates creating high-paying jobs in Montana. For more information, visit MTHighTech.org or subscribe to our biweekly newsletter.
About the Author: Christina Henderson has served as executive director of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance (MHTBA) since its launch in April 2014. She holds an English/Education degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA from the University of Montana. She is also the executive director of the Montana Jobs Network, a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit to promote skilled workforce development in Montana that became affiliated with the MHTBA in 2023.
