Curiosity is becoming a powerful driver of growth, especially when combined with AI. While working at a company that developed a unique software application for personalized learning journeys, I saw firsthand how AI can enable new ways to foster curiosity in the workplace. So how can we use AI to foster innovation and curiosity within our organizations?
1. Identify skills gaps with AI-driven insights
Are you still using AI just to automate mundane tasks? Think bigger! AI can help surface what your team needs most by identifying specific skill gaps that are holding them back from growing. With this insight, leaders can create targeted learning programs.
Imagine a platform that uses AI to continuously scan employee performance data, feedback, and project outcomes. Rather than simply highlighting gaps, it recommends targeted learning experiences like courses, mentoring, and hands-on projects that are customized to each employee's needs. By adjusting these learning paths in real time, AI keeps employees engaged and ensures their growth aligns with organizational goals.
2. Design learning experiences that spark curiosity
How do you keep learning fun and effective? By making it an adventure! AI can guide employees to grow beyond their usual roles and suggest new projects and opportunities that align with their unique learning styles.
When we worked with a company to create a learning app, we saw how challenging it was to gamify learning while fostering a culture of curiosity. The goal was not just to reward participation, but to deeply engage employees, encourage them to question assumptions and explore new ideas. Consider using AI as a practical tool to create personalized learning maps for employees. For example, if an employee expresses an interest in project management but lacks experience, AI can recommend a customized path, such as project management courses, mentorship programs with experienced managers, and real projects that will gradually improve their skills.
3. Encourage cross-functional curiosity with AI
How often do your teams have the opportunity to truly collaborate across different functions? AI can help break down those silos and spark unexpected collaborations by matching employees from different departments who might not normally work together. This approach can lead to new perspectives and innovative solutions.
For example, when I interviewed Ken Fisher of Fisher Investments, he told me that he likes to pair employees who are only one generation apart because he believes this is a more effective way to foster learning and collaboration. I encourage trying different combinations (mixing people from different backgrounds, ages, and departments) to see how they work together and what new insights emerge. AI can facilitate these pairings and create dynamic teams that foster creativity and growth in surprising ways. For example, you can match a marketing analyst with an IT specialist to work together on a data-driven challenge. This not only expands their skill sets, but also allows them to leverage different expertise, leading to better outcomes. When employees learn from each other, they are more likely to question their assumptions, think differently, and grow in unexpected ways.
4. Measure curiosity as a key performance indicator (KPI)
How do you know if curiosity is serving your organization? Make curiosity a KPI. Track how often new ideas are generated, how many cross-departmental projects are started, how many questions are asked in meetings, etc.
AI tools can help track curiosity-related behaviors, such as the number of suggestions on innovation platforms or participation rates in brainstorming sessions. Tying these metrics to tangible business outcomes, such as increased revenue or reduced costs, shows that curiosity is a key driver of success.
5. Build a culture that values ​​AI and human insight
Can AI replace human creativity? Not yet. But AI can enhance creativity. Encourage your team to see AI not as a directing force, but as a partner supporting the decision-making process.
AI can provide valuable insights like customer behavior trends and market predictions, but it's up to employees to interpret that data, ask the right questions, and think creatively about how to use it. When employees feel empowered to combine AI with their own curiosity, they're more likely to innovate, experiment, and push the boundaries of what's possible.
Conclusion: Combine AI and curiosity for continued growth
Combining AI and curiosity can help discover skills gaps, design engaging learning experiences, foster collaboration, and measure success in new ways. As the business world continues to evolve, organizations that leverage both AI and curiosity will be best prepared to adapt, innovate, and thrive.