Alejandro Martinez is the CEO of Propelling Tech. Sharing insights on how data and analytics generate business impact and value.
By 2030, AI alone is projected to contribute nearly $20 trillion to the global economy. Yet, without the right strategies, many organizations risk being left behind. Nearly 80% of companies identify innovation as a critical priority, yet many struggle to successfully implement it.
Why is that? As one McKinsey article put it, “Fear—of criticism, of uncertainty, of career consequences—can paralyze innovation.” The reality is that while we as leaders want our companies to experience the benefits of innovation, it can be difficult to know where to begin and how to mitigate risks along the way.
Getting Innovation Right
The terminology we use to discuss innovation can vary by region. In the U.S. and Canada, for example, we commonly refer to “R&D” (or research and development), while in Europe, I’ve found it is often termed “R+D+I” (for research, development and innovation).
Many use the term “innovation” to describe anything novel, but true innovation goes beyond ideas. According to the Oslo Manual: “An innovation is a new or improved product or process (or combination thereof) that…has been made available to potential users (product) or brought into use by the unit (process).” In other words, true innovation must be implemented, executed and brought to market.
Let’s establish a fundamental principle: Innovation does not occur unless it is executed. In the time it takes to read this article, countless innovative ideas will remain unrealized—not due to a lack of potential but because they fail to move beyond the conceptual stage.
In my experience, the most common barriers to execution include:
• The perceived complexity of change.
• The risk of venturing into unproven territory.
• Organizational inertia (i.e., the tendency to keep doing things the way they have always been done).
Using Technology To Support Innovation
In its broadest sense, technology—not just AI but the convergence of multiple technologies—acts as a catalyst for innovation and can help address the barriers mentioned above.
To turn innovation into reality with the help of technology, there are a few best practices I encourage organizations to keep in mind:
Create a data-driven vision.
Innovation begins with a vision aligned with organizational goals. AI and big data can come into play here by helping identify patterns, uncover opportunities and define success in measurable terms. These technologies can enable organizations to move from intuition-based decisions to data-backed foresight, ensuring goals are both ambitious and achievable.
Open innovation can further expand this process by integrating external data, insights from partners and even AI-generated solutions. Imagine technology co-creating solutions alongside human teams and helping brainstorm new ideas. With technology as a collaborator, businesses can iterate faster, explore unconventional ideas and develop breakthrough strategies. AI can act as a 24/7 brainstorming engine, help detect unseen opportunities and optimize decision making.
However, to ensure AI helps you create an effective data-driven vision and supports your team, establish clear objectives. AI needs well-structured goals to generate actionable insights. Data quality and governance are also key. Reliable data fuels AI, so invest in data hygiene, security and ethical AI practices.
Embrace risk-controlled experimentation.
Once ideas and research are in place, the best approach to innovating is to start small through pilots and minimum-viable products. Then, scale responsibly. Technology can enable quick prototyping, predictive modeling and real-time risk assessment, which can help businesses iterate and refine ideas before full-scale deployment and minimize costly missteps.
Additionally, in today’s digital-first world, customer expectations are constantly shifting due to rapid technological advancements, market trends and evolving behaviors. To stay competitive, businesses must embrace continuous experimentation and innovation to meet these changing needs.
Secure commitment and enable automation.
Commitment is the bridge between vision and execution. It requires addressing the human factor: overcoming fears, gaining leadership buy-in and fostering trust within teams and partnerships.
Leaders should align innovation with business goals by showing expected returns on investment to gain buy-in. Transparency is key. Communicate the “why” behind a change, and involve teams early. Address fears by providing training and ensuring AI augments rather than replaces roles. Celebrate small wins to build confidence and momentum. Finally, foster a culture of experimentation by rewarding learning, not just success, to reinforce that innovation is a continuous journey, not a one-time event.
Automation may also be able to help secure commitment. From my perspective, technology is an architect of innovation—a force that can scale breakthroughs and pilots into transformative solutions. By demonstrating how automation can simplify processes and drive growth, leaders help secure commitment and reduce resistance. When your team sees that innovation can be scaled efficiently without overwhelming them, you can build their confidence and align your workforce with the vision. This clarity and support make it easier to gain buy-in from both leadership and teams.
Innovate by design, not by chance.
Innovation doesn’t happen by accident; it happens by choice. Organizations must proactively embrace change and can use technology to help accelerate progress while ensuring ethical and inclusive implementation. By using AI to enhance, not replace, human intelligence, organizations can intentionally design innovations that leverage the strengths of both. This approach drives purposeful and strategic progress.
To innovate by design, organizations should focus on integrating AI in areas where it complements human skills—such as data analysis, decision making or creativity—rather than attempting to replace roles entirely. Prioritize continuous learning and collaboration, and ensure technology aligns with business goals to create solutions that are ethical, inclusive and aligned with long-term objectives.
The question is not whether technology can drive innovation—but how to ensure it does so responsibly and inclusively. After all, in today’s world, I believe every company is a technology company.
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