Higher Agency · Insights https://higheragency.solutions/insights Operator notes on AI that reaches production, from an operator-led build firm. Written by Patrick McGrath. en-us © 2026 Higher Agency Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT The clock stops when somebody moves https://higheragency.solutions/insights/the-clock-stops-when-somebody-moves https://higheragency.solutions/insights/the-clock-stops-when-somebody-moves Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Patrick McGrath Two numbers on the screen disagree and nobody can say where either came from. Speed is the cheap half of an analysis layer. The expensive half has no screenshot. Live ops after AI: what moved, what didn't, and what we stopped doing https://higheragency.solutions/insights/live-ops-after-ai https://higheragency.solutions/insights/live-ops-after-ai Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT Patrick McGrath A live-ops operator's account of where AI actually helped, where it didn't, and the player-facing 5% most studios chase by mistake. The value sat in churn, LTV, and event cadence, not in the calendar or the NPC. The 7% problem https://higheragency.solutions/insights/the-7-percent-problem https://higheragency.solutions/insights/the-7-percent-problem Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT Patrick McGrath Half the game industry thinks generative AI is harming it, and only 7% think it is helping, down from 13%. What that means if you run a studio and still have work to get done. When to hire a Head of AI instead of us https://higheragency.solutions/insights/when-to-hire-a-head-of-ai https://higheragency.solutions/insights/when-to-hire-a-head-of-ai Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT Patrick McGrath A Head of AI runs about $500,000 a year once equity is counted. Three cases where you should make the hire, one where the hire is the wrong shape, and why a firm would tell you either. Nobody checked the 95% https://higheragency.solutions/insights/nobody-checked-the-95 https://higheragency.solutions/insights/nobody-checked-the-95 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT Patrick McGrath The most-quoted statistic in enterprise AI comes from 153 survey responses, describes something other than failure, and is now used to end conversations it should start. The demo always works https://higheragency.solutions/insights/the-demo-always-works https://higheragency.solutions/insights/the-demo-always-works Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT Patrick McGrath Enterprise AI stalls in two places the pitch never mentions: the harness you didn't build, and the team that never picked it up.