Analytical Abundance: Why Ai Makes Strategy Harder
AI makes strategy harder: analytical abundance supports many credible futures, so the constraint moves from insight to choice and commitment.
Summary
The article argues that AI makes strategy harder: cheap analysis lets many credible futures coexist, so more analysis reinforces disagreement instead of producing consensus, and analysis spread across units and suppliers weakens commitment after a decision. Baaij proposes three separately governed cycles: strategic intelligence (open, broad), strategic choice (dedicated forum, clear authority) and strategic change (sustaining commitment in execution). Illustrated with three composite cases (industrial divestment, chip manufacturer's geographic investment, automotive EV transition); conceptual, no dataset.
Editor's opinion
The scarce resource in strategy is no longer insight but closure. When AI can produce a credible analysis for every option, the analysis stops settling arguments and starts prolonging them, even after the decision is made. Leaders need explicit decision rights, formal commitment points and deadlines, and should open exploration widely while keeping the choice itself centralised.
Key concepts
analytical abundance · strategic choice · commitment · AI and strategy