AI without strategy is just hype—Wardley Maps fix that.

Governments, businesses, and enterprises follow AI trends without mapping the landscape, leaving them blind to risks and opportunities.That's why I sat down with Simon Wardley, the inventor of Wardley Maps, and one of the UK’s top 50 most influential people in tech, to break down why most AI strategies fail—and how mapping can give you a real advantage.

In this episode of Fractional:

🚀 Why AI without a map is like playing chess blindfolded

📍 How Wardley Maps expose hidden risks and opportunities in AI adoption

💡 The power struggles shaping AI—and why open-source AI is critical

⚠️ Why governments must fight for open AI instead of corporate control

🛠️ How AI tools, language, and reasoning are evolving—and what that means for strategy

If you're responsible for AI adoption in your company, this conversation will change how you think about strategy.

🔹 Who is Simon Wardley?A former CEO, startup advisor (all acquired by US tech giants), and fellow of Open Europe, Simon has spent his career navigating complex systems, from AI and economics to behavioral patterns and market shifts. He pioneered Wardley Mapping, a framework used by organizations worldwide to anticipate change, outmaneuver competitors, and drive real AI strategy.