Fractional CTO for AI Startups: Architecture, Vendor Traps, and Timing

When I started taking fractional CTO engagements alongside building AIdeazz, I learned that most AI startups need radically different technical leadership than traditional software companies. The difference isn't just about understanding transformers or prompt engineering - it's about navigating a landscape where your entire architecture can become obsolete in three months, where a single vendor decision can lock you into unsustainable unit economics, and where the gap between and production can kill your startup.