This course provides an experience-based exposure to the process of innovating, either within an existing company or when starting an entrepreneurial venture. The course does not involve instruction in specific AI capabilities but provides a practical framework for harnessing AI tools for innovation. Students will bring different experiences and skills to the class, and these will continue to change rapidly. The course is designed to be flexible to that variety.
Familiarity with historical innovation frameworks, including lean start-up methodology is helpful. This is not an intro class in start-up methodologies, and we will move quickly. There will be explicit and regular use of AI in the innovation process to guide students in combining speed and quality in their innovation work. This course is anchored in the opportunities (and risks) presented to the innovator by AI. For the last 15 years, variations on Lean Start-Up methods (see Blank, Ries, Osterwalder and others) have dominated academia, start-up and corporate innovation programs. But AI changes things, and this course helps map a positive pathway for innovators. Optional, additional background readings will be provided for students who are motivated to join the course but need to fill knowledge gaps.
Students are encouraged to focus on tackling significant societal challenges (for example: human health, planetary health, food and energy security) where major changes are required for impact. Teams may assume the role of a start-up, or work on a potential innovation for an existing company or organization. Projects cannot be done on an individual basis. Students will undertake applied work on their project, each week, between classes. Guidance will be given on how to use AI smartly for faster and better outcomes, and how to avoid traps of superficiality and non-robust solutions. Completing the course will leave students equipped with a practical framework and workflow of how AI tools can improve the innovation process.

Instructor: Paul Cubbon

Course Date & Time

One 3-hour class per week, Wednesdays: 08.00-11.00 PCT (Vancouver time)