Problem Solving with AI?

From 2021 to 2022, AI patent grants worldwide increased sharply by 62.7%. Since 2010, the number of granted AI patents has increased more than 31 times.¹

As engineers, we’re constantly seeking innovative solutions to complex technical challenges. Machine Learning, the foundation of modern Artificial Intelligence, has emerged as a powerful tool that can transform our approach to design and problem-solving.

Innovation is the lifeblood of any thriving business. To ensure that my ideas are not just innovative but also viable, I rely on a suite of creativity tools that guide me through different stages of business design.
In this post, I will delve into three essential tools that have been instrumental in validating my business ideas: the Value Lab ¹, the TRIZ framework², and the Lean Startup methodology³.

1 Laying the Foundation: The Value Lab

The tool I use to lay down the foundation of an idea is the Value Lab. It is defined as “a virtual laboratory wherein managers and entrepreneurs creatively compose and test strategy in more scientific and evidence-based ways". This methodology guides you to design a “Theory of Value,” implying that only with a supportive theory are you able to identify the key elements of an innovation.

I have been diving into the insightful Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2024 by Stanford University ¹, and its coverage of AI trends across the market is truly outstanding.

One standout takeaway from Chapter 4 on the Economy, particularly Section 4.3 on AI investment trends, is that investments in generative AI are soaring despite an overall decline in private AI investments. This might seem surprising given the widespread media coverage of AI across all applications, but the data speaks for itself: