Episode 207: Ad Strack van Schijndel
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Episode 207: Ad Strack van Schijndel” inside PodZeus.
Ad Strack van Schijndel, founder of Juggle, reveals how he transformed MediaWiki from a wiki platform into a flexible, AI-powered 'brain' for enterprise systems. Rather than building traditional wikis, Juggle uses MediaWiki's robust versioning and data structuring capabilities as a backend for custom business applications—like survey management, dashboarding, and content workflows—while offloading front-end design to modern JavaScript frameworks. The real innovation lies in three layers of AI integration: AI-driven software development (using Claude Code), AI-assisted creation of business functions and data structures, and AI-powered end-user tools like automated survey generation and voiceover editing. Strack van Schijndel argues that MediaWiki’s strength isn’t in editing, but in being a secure, structured, and version-controlled foundation for AI to operate on—making it ideal for managing complex, interconnected workflows. He also predicts a future where human input is filtered through AI to ensure consistency, security, and quality, with the system acting as a centralized 'brain' for organizations. Despite the technical depth, he admits Juggle’s marketing avoids mentioning MediaWiki entirely—because his customers don’t care about the tech stack, only the outcomes.
Use MediaWiki not as a wiki, but as a secure, versioned data backbone for AI-driven business systems.
Integrate AI in three layers: AI for development, AI for creating business functions, and AI for end-user tasks.
Store rendered HTML in MediaWiki slots to enable dynamic, customizable front-ends without losing version history.
Leverage AI to generate structured content and workflows, reducing human error and improving consistency.
Separate front-end and back-end to improve security—expose only a single API, not the entire wiki.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introducing Ad Strack van Schijndel and Juggle
Jeroen Coran welcomes Ad Strack van Schijndel, founder of Juggle, a new company that uses MediaWiki as a flexible, AI-powered backend for business systems. Ad reflects on his departure from Wikibase Solutions and his vision for Juggle.
Juggle as a Flexible Information Platform
Ad explains that Juggle isn’t a wiki but a customizable platform built on MediaWiki. It uses versioned data, multiple content models, and slots to manage structured information for business processes like dashboards and surveys.
Three Ways AI Powers Juggle
“I use AI to create the platform, to enhance the platform, and the third way to use AI is for the end user, for end user support.”
MediaWiki’s Role in AI Integration
Ad argues MediaWiki’s strength lies in organizing structured data and context—critical for effective AI. Features like content models, version history, and slots make it ideal for AI to operate on.
Jubes: Custom, Schema-Driven Forms
Juggle’s forms (called 'jubes') are JavaScript-based, schema-driven, and AI-assisted. They replace traditional form extensions like PageForms and FlexForms with a more flexible, maintainable architecture.
“I think we are going to see more and more that you don't want people edit directly stuff. I think we are going to be more and more that you want to have an AI in between.”
“I use AI to create the platform, to enhance the platform, and the third way to use AI is for the end user, for end user support.”
“I do think of it that way, Jeroen. Definitely. So, yeah, I still have to have a Juggle AI logo or a Juggle AI, let's say a Juggle AI logo. So the one that I'm thinking of now is the Juggle logo with the brain.”
Host
Guest
ad strack van schijndel
person
media wiki
product
juggle
organization
semantic media wiki
product
claude code
product
wikibase solutions
organization
jubes
product
canasta
product
neo wiki
product
mermaid
product
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Episode 207: Ad Strack van Schijndel” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime