by Kevin Popović
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by Kevin Popović
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Dear Idea Guy,
Our executive team is under pressure to “do something with AI,” but no one agrees on what that means. Some see it as the next big thing, others think it’s a distraction. We don’t want to get left behind, but we also don’t want to chase trends just to say we’re using it.
How can we use AI meaningfully, especially when it comes to innovation?
-Skeptical in Sorrento Valley
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Dear Skeptical,
You’re not alone—every leadership team seems to be asking the same thing right now: “What’s our AI strategy?” The urgency is real, but the clarity often isn’t.
Here’s the truth: AI isn’t a strategy. It’s a tool. And like any tool, it only creates value when it’s used to solve a meaningful problem.
In my work, I use generative AI to amplify human intelligence—not replace it. Just like desktop publishing didn’t create designers, and the internet didn’t create researchers, AI doesn’t create innovators. It empowers the ones already doing the work.
The simplest, most effective way I’ve found is this:
- Human first. Think through the problem. Write your idea. Own the insight.
- AI second. Ask for feedback. Build on your thinking. Challenge assumptions.
Used this way, AI helps teams move faster, think deeper, and explore more ideas—without giving up creative control.
That’s the real promise of AI-powered innovation.
Got a challenge worth exploring? Send it to WYP@TheIdeaGuy.us—it might just spark the next column.
— Kevin Popovic, The Idea Guy®
Read this column on San Diego Business Journal.
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WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM? is a weekly column by Kevin Popovic, The Idea Guy®—a trusted advisor to CEOs and leaders across industries. Each edition answers real-world business challenges with clear, creative insights you can use to think differently and lead confidently.
Got a problem worth solving? Send your question to WYP@TheIdeaGuy.us – it could be featured in an upcoming column.
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We’ve done the work: defined our problems, identified opportunities, and even started building an innovation process. But here’s the issue: my team still holds back.
We’ve been through so many changes over the past few years—new strategies, new systems, new leadership. Now, every time we propose something new, my team’s energy crashes.
My team is constantly asked to “show” our innovation ideas before we gain buy-in, but we struggle with how to illustrate our concepts effectively.
There’s no clear path to move forward, and we’re starting to lose momentum. How do we decide which ideas are worth investing in without overthinking it?
