Wargames aren’t just for generals

In this special Compromising Positions field trip, we head to Connections UK, a conference dedicated to the art and science of professional wargaming.

And no, it’s not about Orcs or Space Marines.

We explore what cybersecurity and AI can learn from people who use simulations to test crisis, conflict, disaster response and complex decision-making when there is no single right answer.

One of our favourite descriptions from the conference was that a wargame is fundamentally a structured conversation. Put people into a scenario, give them decisions to make, introduce consequences, and see what happens.

We look at why wargaming isn't about predicting the future, but about exposing assumptions, testing dependencies and uncovering unintended consequences before they become real-world problems.

And, inevitably, we ask what happens when AI gets involved.

Because as organisations deploy AI at breakneck speed, we can't write a policy for every possible outcome.

But we can rehearse what happens when things go wrong.

(Note: We recorded live in the field, so bear with us on some of the audio quality! For the full visual experience, check out the video version over on our YouTube channel.)

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Wargames Aren't Just for Generals: What professional wargaming actually is and what cybersecurity can learn from it.

The Structured Conversation: How putting people into scenarios and forcing decisions exposes blind spots that risk registers and strategy documents can miss.

Wargaming in the Age of AI: What happens when AI, autonomous systems and synthetic information enter an already complicated crisis.

Rehearsing the Unexpected: Why the goal isn't to predict the future, but to build the organisational muscle to respond when things inevitably go sideways.

Special Thanks to Our Guest Interviews at Connections UK:

Matt Caffrey – Founder of Connections USA

Stephen Box – Vanguard Tactics

Robert Grayston – Resilience Officer

Chris Webb – Professional Wargamer

Show Notes

Special thanks to our episode sponsor, Leeds based AI Consultancy specialising in AI Ethics, Security and Transformation NorthStar Intelligence- From Ideas to Impact. AI that works for people

Connections UK website

Vanguard Tactics - Stephen Box

The Games Behind Your Government’s Next War - People Make Games

Cybersecurity Lego Game - Decisions and Disruptions

Also, check out our sister podcast Tech Film Noir!