Organising for AI-powered innovation through design: the case of Hitachi Vantara

Abstract

How artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can foster innovation is challenging as data scientists must learn to bridge analytical mastery and intuitive decision-making. In recent years, design thinking, a human-centred, problem-solving approach has been used by researchers to address complex social problems. However, a rigorous study of the application of design thinking in the context of digital innovation is absent from current discourse. This study, based on a revelatory case study, explores how design thinking can foster the development of AI-powered innovations, by bridging the divide between human-centric and machine-centric activities. The study extends the concept of design thinking within digital innovation and provides a new lens to consider studies of organisations engaged in AI-powered innovations. By extending the generalisability of design thinking, we provide novel insights about the challenges, benefits, and lessons learned when data scientists adopt design thinking to 'bridge' and 'balance' their analytical and intuitive thinking.