Unlike many consultancies, Wayfinders was built with AI as part of its DNA

At Uvance Wayfinders, we are a diverse group of talented consultants, leveraging our expertise and experience to solve our clients’ challenges and unlock business value. This series discusses who we are, why we are here, and how we, as individuals and as a business, bring value to both our clients and to society.

Luke Gerdes is a Partner in Fujitsu’s Uvance Wayfinders Data & AI Practice, where he helps organisations turn thoughtful AI application into real, lasting impact. With a PhD and 18 years of experience as a data scientist and researcher, Luke has deep expertise in applying artificial intelligence across mining and heavy industry environments. He has led large, use case–driven transformations in complex operational settings, consistently focusing on how AI and data can solve critical problems, overcome adoption challenges, and deliver measurable value at scale.

My career has always been rooted in exploring how advanced technology can unlock real-world impact. I started out in academia, working within the U.S. Department of Defense as a civilian professor at West Point. There, I researched and published new quantitative methods and even authored a book on using network science to model terror groups. That period taught me the importance of analytical rigor and the responsibility that comes with applying data to complex problems.

Transitioning into industry, I’ve led large-scale, use case–driven transformations in heavy sectors like mining, metals, specialty chemicals, and oil production. Along the way, I pioneered new process-optimization approaches and became a listed inventor on 16 patents at the intersection of AI and industrial applications. Whether in academia or consulting, the common thread has been my passion for using AI and data to solve critical problems and create lasting value.

AI has always been at the center of my professional journey. Over the years, I’ve seen how powerful it can be when applied thoughtfully, but I’ve also seen how hard it can be for organizations to move past experimentation and into scaled, impactful adoption. That’s what excited me about Wayfinders.

Unlike many consultancies that treat AI as an add-on or a niche capability, Wayfinders was built with AI as part of its DNA. The chance to help shape a consulting practice that is truly “AI native” was simply too good to pass up. I joined because I wanted to be part of building something new—an environment where technology isn’t separate from strategy but is central to how we deliver value. At Wayfinders, I get to combine deep technical expertise with client-focused consulting, and to help bring the transformative power of AI to Fujitsu’s global client base.

For me, the differentiator is simple: Wayfinders doesn’t just talk about AI, we are designed around it. Traditional consulting models often carry a lot of inertia—legacy ways of working, rigid hierarchies, and slow adoption of new tools. Wayfinders is different. We’re nimble, tech-forward, and structured to embed AI at the core of both our internal practices and client offerings.

Another huge advantage is Fujitsu’s broader capability. We’re not only backed by a global R&D team constantly producing innovations, but we also have access to unique in-house platforms like Kozuchi, which enables everything from data wrangling to AutoML and computer vision. Add to that strategic partnerships with leading AI players such as Palantir and Cohere, and the breadth of what we can deliver becomes incredibly compelling.

Finally, our leadership team brings lessons from some of the most respected global firms, giving Wayfinders a best-of-both-worlds model: fresh and disruptive, yet proven and credible.

What I bring to Wayfinders is a blend of deep technical knowledge and practical consulting experience, particularly in AI and machine learning. I began my career in highly technical, hands-on roles where I built solutions myself. Over time, I moved into broader leadership and strategy positions, which gave me the ability to translate technical capability into business impact. That combination of technical fluency plus strategic insight has become the foundation of how I work with clients.

I specialize in building end-to-end transformations that start with real, practical use cases and then surround those solutions with the right governance, people, and processes to ensure they stick. I know how to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and day-to-day operations, and how to help organizations avoid getting lost in the hype cycle. At UWF, I aim to help clients embed AI in a way that creates measurable outcomes while also building lasting capability.

I see value in two dimensions: the immediate impact for customers and the broader contribution to society. For customers, I want to deliver AI solutions that are not just innovative but also ethical, efficient, and enduring. That means helping companies harness predictive analytics and real-time data to make smarter decisions, optimize resources, and build resilience in an uncertain world.

At the societal level, I believe AI has a responsibility to be transparent, inclusive, and aligned with human values. Too often, technology advances faster than the frameworks available to guide it. I want my work to demonstrate that AI can be both powerful and responsible. It can support economic growth while also advancing sustainability and equity. If we do it right, every project we deliver doesn’t just improve a business, it will contribute, even in small ways, to a future where innovation helps solve global challenges and enhances lives.