Blue Ocean #11: How to Use the AI Strategy Canvas (Step-by-Step)
Strategy isn’t a spreadsheet—it’s a sketch pad. Let’s draw your next big move.
You’ve got the tools.
You’ve seen the tactics.
But now it’s time to step back and see the big picture.
The AI Strategy Canvas is how you zoom out, organize your ideas, and build a business that:
Offers unique value
Stays lean and scalable
Uses AI without overcomplicating things
It’s not about cramming everything into your product.
It’s about making smarter choices, backed by insight—not guesswork.
Let’s walk through it.
🎨 What’s the AI Strategy Canvas?
It’s a simple, powerful one-pager you can sketch on a whiteboard, journal, or napkin (I won’t judge).
It has five key zones:
Audience Gap
AI-Enabled Insight
Core Differentiator
Lean Delivery Model
Repeatable AI Process
Each zone helps you ask smarter questions—and make better moves.
🧩 1. Audience Gap
Who is being overlooked—and what are they missing?
What group isn't being served well?
What do they wish existed but doesn’t?
What pain are they tolerating?
✴️ Prompt idea:
“Find three overlooked audiences in the productivity tools space and describe their biggest frustrations.”
🧠 2. AI-Enabled Insight
What can AI uncover that humans might miss?
Hidden search demand
Emotional triggers in reviews
Micro-trends in behavior
Usage patterns or drop-off points
✴️ Prompt idea:
“Scan user comments and reviews to surface unmet emotional needs in digital journaling apps.”
This is your edge. Let AI show you what’s not obvious.
🌟 3. Core Differentiator
What makes your offer undeniably different?
You don’t need to be better.
You need to be something else.
A new twist
A better bundle
A smarter workflow
A surprising voice or story
✴️ Prompt idea:
“Compare top competitor landing pages and suggest a unique value proposition they all miss.”
⚙️ 4. Lean Delivery Model
How do you deliver it efficiently—without bloating your process or budget?
Use AI to create, automate, test
Cut unnecessary features
Focus on what drives results
✴️ Prompt idea:
“List three areas of my funnel I could automate to cut costs but still deliver value.”
🔁 5. Repeatable AI Process
What’s the system behind the scenes that keeps things smart, not stressful?
Daily prompts for research
AI-generated onboarding flows
Dynamic pricing or offers based on behavior
Ongoing optimization with smart tools
✴️ Prompt idea:
“Design a weekly AI-assisted workflow for content creation, audience research, and email testing.”
This keeps your growth sustainable—not chaotic.
Example Canvas: “Calm for Creators”
Let’s say you’re building a digital product for overwhelmed creators.
Canvas ZoneExample AnswerAudience GapCreators with ADHD who struggle with focus & routinesAI-Enabled InsightRising Reddit threads about “dopamine detox” burnoutCore Differentiator7-day “brain reboot” delivered in under 5 min/dayLean Delivery ModelAI builds daily prompt cards + short audio guidanceRepeatable AI ProcessWeekly survey + AI adjusts next week's experience
Simple. Lean. Powerful.
You Can Sketch This Right Now
All you need is:
Five boxes
Five smart questions
A few good AI prompts
This isn’t a tool for perfection.
It’s a tool for momentum.
Next Up in AI Secrets:
“12 AI Prompts That Could Build a Whole Business”
Let’s get even more practical—with 10 real prompts that could help you spin up your next niche offer or product idea.
Tagged: #AISecrets #AIFrameworks #StrategyCanvas
Written by Fred Ferguson, aka GeezerWise