Programs

AI-Augmented Innovation (Custom Executive Education Program)

Note: This program outline is indicative. We tailor each session and activity to meet your organization’s unique needs. For pricing and further customization details, please contact us at cf@cforesight.org.

The 2-Day Executive Education Program on AI-Augmented Innovation is designed for forward-thinking business leaders, executives, and innovation managers who seek to integrate AI-driven methodologies into their strategic decision-making and creative processes. The workshop explores AI’s role in augmenting creativity, leveraging bioinspired and sustainable innovation principles, and applying scenario planning for future business strategies.

This intensive, hands-on learning experience provides:

• A structured approach to AI-powered creativity and problem-solving
• Insights into bioinspired design and nature-driven innovation
• Tools and frameworks for designing sustainable products that grow
• Practical applications of Generative AI for scenario planning and innovation forecasting

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Session 1. Introduction to AI-Augmented Innovation

• How AI enhances creativity, problem-solving, and strategic innovation
• AI-powered tools for ideation and business transformation
• Case studies of AI-driven innovation across industries

Key Takeaways:

• AI serves as an augmentation tool, not a replacement
• AI-driven innovation accelerates problem-solving and idea generation
• Generative AI reshapes competitive advantages in business

Session 2. Augmenting Creativity Using Generative AI

• How Generative AI enables divergent thinking and trisociation
• AI-powered brainstorming techniques and tools
• Hands-on exercise: Using AI for real-time ideation

Key Takeaways:

• Generative AI can overcome expertise bias to generate novel ideas
• AI-enabled trisociation connects distant concepts for breakthrough innovation
• AI serves as a powerful collaborator in the creative process

Session 3. Innovation Using Design Heuristics

• Understanding design heuristics and their application in business innovation
• AI’s role in optimizing design processes and heuristics
• Case study: Applying heuristics for new product development

Key Takeaways:

• Design heuristics simplify complex innovation challenges
• AI can rapidly generate and test variations of design ideas
• Companies should integrate AI-driven heuristics into their innovation processes

Session 4. Designing Products That Grow

• What are "Products That Grow" (PTG)?
• Examples of PTG in industries such as toys, apparel, medical devices, and smart technology
• Business models for capturing value from PTG

Key Takeaways:

• PTGs align with customer needs and reduce obsolescence
• AI and data analytics drive dynamic product adaptation
• Companies can monetize PTGs through subscription and upgrade models

Session 5. Nature-Inspired Innovation

• Lessons from biology for product design and business strategy
• Bioinspired system design: Efficiency, Resilience, and Prominence (ERP model)
• Case studies: Biomimetic breakthroughs in aerospace, materials, and healthcare

Key Takeaways:

• Nature provides models for sustainable and adaptive innovation
• The ERP model balances efficiency, resilience, and market prominence
• AI can help systematically explore bioinspired innovation opportunities

Session 6. Scenario Planning for Creative Futures

• Introduction to scenario planning and strategic foresight
• How AI can generate, analyze, and refine business scenarios
• Interactive session: Building AI-enhanced scenario strategies

Key Takeaways:

• Scenario planning helps organizations navigate uncertainty
• AI can process vast data sets to create actionable strategic scenarios
• Foresight is key to long-term resilience and innovation

Session 7. Final Presentation: AI-Augmented Innovation Project

• Teams present their AI-powered innovation strategies
• Feedback session with expert insights
• Discussion on implementing AI-driven innovation in participants’ organizations

Below are some reference materials and articles that enrich the understanding of AI-Augmented Innovation, Bioinspired Design, and Scenario Planning:

• Eapen, T. T., & Finkenstadt, D. J. (2024). Bioinspired Strategic Design. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032715315-1
• Eapen, T. T., Finkenstadt, D. J., Folk, J., & Venkataswamy, L. (2023, July). How generative AI can augment human creativity. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2023/07/how-generative-ai-can-augment-human-creativity
• Eapen, T. T., et al. (2025). Trisociation with AI for creative idea generation. California Management Review (CMR) Insights. https://cmr.berkeley.edu/2025/01/trisociation-with-ai-for-creative-idea-generation/
• Finkenstadt, D. J., Eapen, T. T., Sotiriadis, J., & Guinto, P. (2023, November). Use GenAI to improve scenario planning. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2023/11/use-genai-to-improve-scenario-planning
• Finkenstadt, D. J., Guinto, P., Sotiriadis, J., & Eapen, T. T. (2024). Contingency scenario planning using generative AI. California Management Review (CMR) Insights. https://cmr.berkeley.edu/2024/01/contingency-scenario-planning-using-generative-ai/
• Finkenstadt, D. J., Govindarajan, V., Martin, A., & Eapen, T. T. (2024). AI Business Companions. California Management Review (CMR) Insights. https://cmr.berkeley.edu/2024/06/how-managers-can-benefit-from-multi-modal-ai-business-companions/
• Govindarajan, V., Eapen, T. T., & Finkenstadt, D. J. (2024, November). Design products that won’t become obsolete. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2024/11/design-products-that-wont-become-obsolete
• Govindarajan, V., Eapen, T. T., & Finkenstadt, D. J. (2024, December). How to create products that grow with their users. Harvard Business Review Digital. https://hbr.org/2024/12/how-to-create-products-that-grow-with-their-users
• Harvard Business Review Editors. (2024). Generative AI: The insights you need from Harvard Business Review. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Schwartz, P. (1996). The art of the long view: Planning for the future in an uncertain world. Currency/Doubleday.
• Wack, P. (1985). Scenarios: Uncharted waters ahead. Harvard Business Review, 63(5), 73–89. https://hbr.org/1985/09/scenarios-uncharted-waters-ahead

Interested in customizing this Executive Education Program for your organization?
Contact us at cf@cforesight.org for information on pricing, scheduling, and tailoring the curriculum to fit your strategic innovation goals.