Hi, I'm Jamie Oarton
I'm an AI strategy advisor and fractional Chief AI Officer through Bramforth AI, helping mid-market businesses build AI strategies that actually connect to how they make money. I share what I'm learning through writing, video, and a growing community of people figuring out AI together.
Subscribe to my newsletter

AI Strategy
I help leadership teams cut through the hype and build AI strategies grounded in business reality — not vendor wishlists.
Training & Speaking
AI courses and workshops for leadership teams who need to make decisions about AI, not just understand it.
Fractional CAIO
Embedded AI leadership for your organisation. Strategy, governance, and capability building — through Bramforth AI.
Latest thinking
Three people, three sources, three different versions of what AI means for your business
Your CEO, CTO, and CFO are each getting their AI advice from completely different places. That's why nothing moves forward.
5 min readYour team are using AI tools you don't know about. Here's what that actually means.
68% of employees use AI tools their employer hasn't approved. 77% have pasted company data into them. Here's what shadow AI means for your business.
5 min readYou don't have an AI strategy. You have a list of tools. Here's the difference.
Most mid-market companies say they have an AI strategy. What they actually have is a list of tools. Here's why that's costing you money.
6 min readDeep dives
The AI Advice Gap: Why Your Leadership Team Can't Agree on AI
The AI advice gap is the problem that occurs when different members of your leadership team are getting AI guidance from completely different sources — leading to misalignment, wasted spend, and paralysis.
5 min readAI Governance for Businesses: A Practical Guide
AI governance is the set of policies, processes, and controls that determine how your organisation adopts, uses, and manages AI. Only 7% of UK businesses have it properly in place. Here's what it looks like and how to build it.
7 min readAI ROI: Why Most AI Investments Fail and What to Do Differently
80% of AI projects fail to deliver business value. Only 10% of companies see significant returns. Here's what the research says about why — and what the successful 10% do differently.
6 min readAI Strategy for Mid-Market Companies: What It Actually Means
An AI strategy is not a list of tools. It's a plan that connects AI investments to business outcomes. Here's what a real AI strategy looks like for companies turning over £20M–£100M.
7 min readWhat Is a Fractional Chief AI Officer (CAIO)?
A fractional CAIO is a part-time AI executive who helps businesses build and execute AI strategy without hiring a full-time C-suite leader. Here's what they do, who needs one, and what it costs.
7 min readShadow AI: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It
Shadow AI is the use of unauthorised AI tools by employees without IT approval or oversight. 68% of employees do it. Here's what it means for your business and how to manage it.
7 min readOne actionable AI insight per week
What's working, what's not, and what to do about it.