You Need an Innovation Strategy to Move from +AI to AI+

I always thought that Gary Pisano’s Innovation Landscape Map, featured in the Harvard Business Review in 2015, provides a valuable framework for organizing innovation. This matrix categorizes innovation into four types: routine, disruptive, radical, and architectural. I believe that understanding these distinctions is crucial for companies looking to move beyond simply integrating AI into existing processes. As IBM highlights, organizations must shift from a +AI mindset—where AI is an add-on to current operations—to an AI+ approach, where AI drives transformative business models. Achieving this requires a robust innovation strategy. I also think that linking AI-driven innovation with broader strategy is essential. It requires:
Strategic deployment: Aligning AI initiatives with long-term business objectives and core processes.
Process mastery: Gaining a deep understanding of internal operations and value chain challenges to identify where AI can create the most value.
Skill transfer: Equipping teams with the necessary skills to adapt to AI-driven changes, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Businesses that strategically align AI innovations with their core operations and foster the necessary skills and processes will be best positioned to thrive in the AI+ era, unlocking new opportunities for growth and transformation.

Aslam Jilani, Managing Director, Einklang-Consulting GmbH