In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), a people-first approach is not just a noble aspiration but a strategic imperative. The heart of accelerating innovation is, in fact, empowering individuals: enabling them to harness the transformative potential of AI while ensuring trust and security in these tools. A recent panel discussion at Dell Technologies World, moderated by Jen Felch, Chief Digital Officer and CIO at Dell Technologies, featured insights from Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, Rich Gagnon, Assistant City Manager and CIO of the City of Amarillo, and Steve George, Global CIO at EY. These leaders shared their experiences and strategies for empowering teams to leverage AI for transformative outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- Democratize learning to involve everyone in the innovation journey.
- Align AI initiatives with clear business objectives.
- Create a safe environment for experimentation and “failing forward.”
- Encourage collaboration across teams and with the community.
The Human Element in AI Innovation
Felch opened the discussion by emphasizing the importance of people in realizing the potential of AI: “Without people, it’s really hard to make that impact on our businesses or in our operations.” The panelists echoed this sentiment, collectively highlighting that technology, no matter how advanced, requires human expertise and creativity to make a difference.
Brown shared his perspective from the high-octane world of Formula One racing: “At the end of the day, we’re in the most technology-advanced sport in the world. But it’s powered by people.” He stressed the need for individuals to become experts in their fields and to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This is essential for innovation, where every incremental gain can be the difference between winning and losing.
Cultivating a Culture of Collaboration and Learning
Next, the leaders discussed how culture should be shaped to encourage innovation. George pointed out the necessity of a curious culture and democratized learning: “Do you have a culture that’s curious? Do they want to learn?” He also highlighted the importance of aligning business objectives with AI initiatives to avoid the “hammer looking for a nail” problem.
Gagnon brought a unique public sector perspective, emphasizing the need to create a safe environment for iteration and “failing forward,” both internally and with the community: “We have to create the same environment with our residents so that they’re comfortable with iterating solutions.” This approach extends beyond the walls of city hall, involving residents in co-developing solutions fostering trust and transparency.
Breaking Barriers and Embracing Change
In their final learnings, the panelists agreed that overcoming the fear of failure is crucial for innovation. Brown described the culture at McLaren Racing as one where making mistakes is acceptable as long as they lead to learning and improvement: “Mistakes are okay, don’t make the same one twice.”
George concurred, advocating for a shift from a culture where failure is unacceptable to one where it is a stepping stone to progress: “Fail often, fail fast, learn, iterate.”
In conclusion, the panelists demonstrated that while AI holds the promise of revolutionizing industries, it’s the human element—our creativity, expertise and collaborative spirit—that truly drives innovation. Prioritizing people and fostering a learning culture unlocks AI’s full potential for innovation.
To learn how you can accelerate your innovation with AI, visit www.dell.com/innovationcatalyst.
Click the video below to watch the full conversation.
