Why Every Employee Must Become an Innovator in the Age of AI

The 3 levels of employee innovation in the age of AI

Why Every Employee Must Become an Innovator in the Age of AI

We are standing at a pivotal moment in the future of work. With AI accelerating at breakneck speed, nearly every job function is being reshaped—or at risk of being replaced. As I’ve stated in earlier posts, according to recent estimates, 40% of today’s jobs may be disrupted by automation and AI within the next decade. But that doesn’t mean we’re doomed to a future of mass unemployment or irrelevance. In fact, we’re on the verge of a new workforce revolution, if we train people not just to adapt, but to innovate.

I believe that everyone, from the warehouse floor to the executive suite, can contribute to the innovation agenda. But they need the tools, frameworks, and support to do so.

Innovation Isn’t Just for R&D Anymore

Too often, innovation is seen as the job of a select few: product teams, engineers, or a skunkworks task force. But in reality, opportunities for innovation exist at every level of a company:

• A customer service rep identifying ways to reduce support tickets by improving FAQ systems.

• A logistics analyst rethinking delivery routes using AI tools to reduce carbon emissions.

• A marketing coordinator testing generative content strategies to improve campaign ROI.

• A manager piloting new workflows to increase cross-functional collaboration.

This is not just optimization—it’s the foundation of future-proofing your workforce.

The 3 Levels of Employee Innovation

I think about innovation as a spectrum of contribution:

1. Optimizers: Employees who improve existing processes, boost productivity, and embrace new technologies in their current roles.

2. Opportunity Spotters: Those who identify unmet needs, inefficiencies, or customer friction—and propose better ways forward.

3. Transformers: Individuals who lead bold initiatives, spin up new ventures, or help companies pivot into entirely new business models.

All three are essential. And with the right training, every employee has the potential to operate at all three levels throughout their career.

AI Isn’t the Threat—Complacency Is

It’s a workforce unprepared to work with AI.

AI can amplify human creativity, intuition, and decision-making. Companies that invest in innovation training today will gain:

• Increased adaptability in uncertain markets

• Stronger employee engagement and retention

• Faster time-to-market for new products and solutions

• A pipeline of internal entrepreneurs who build the next big thing—before someone else does

Imagine what would happen if 10,000 employees at a Fortune 500 company were trained as innovators. You wouldn't just future-proof jobs—you'd unleash a wave of internal transformation that drives revenue, culture, and impact.

The Future Belongs to Those Who Train for It

The future of work is not about choosing between humans or AI—it’s about investing in both. Corporations have an economic and a societal responsibility to equip their employees with the mindset and skill set of innovators.