In the age of rapid technological advancements, AI has become a household name. But what exactly is AI? At its core, Artificial Intelligence is the ability of a computer to think and learn. We see its manifestations in various forms - from DeepL's impressive translations to Netflix's uncanny ability to recommend shows, and Tesla's autopilot driving feature. However, the spotlight today is on a specific subset of AI: Generative AI.

The Rise of Generative AI

Generative AI truly came into the limelight with the launch of ChatGPT. It was a game-changer, with many dubbing it a "technological earthquake." This innovation marked the beginning of a new era, even causing ripples in the tech industry, with Bing trying to snatch some market share from Google.

But what is Generative AI? Imagine future blogs being curated and voiced by AI. Given a topic and some guidance, Generative AI can craft content and even interpret it in a generated voice.

Let’s give the floor to HeyGen’s Avatar to explain Generative AI:

Generative AI: A Gimmick or a Game-Changer?

With rapid advancements, the quality of rendering and understanding by Generative AI has seen significant improvements. A testament to its prowess is GPT-4.0, which scored higher than the passing grade in the U.S. Bar Exam.

Generative AI in the Innovation Landscape

When a new technology emerges, it's thrilling to explore its applications across business processes. Traditionally, automation has been most effective in operational and supporting processes. Managerial processes, especially intricate ones like strategy and innovation, seemed out of its reach. But Generative AI is changing that narrative.

At Tomorrowlab, we've identified key stages in the innovation process:


  1. Explore & Discover: Understand the problem by conducting primary and secondary research.
  2. Define: Narrow down challenges and craft a guiding problem statement.
  3. Develop: Test assumptions rigorously.
  4. Deliver: Develop an MVP and attract customers.

This process isn't always linear, and it's crucial to invest time in understanding the problem space.

Generative AI Tools for Innovation

Generative AI offers tools that can enhance every stage of the innovation journey. While some are still in their infancy, they can be invaluable sources of inspiration. Here's a breakdown:

  1. ChatGPT (chat.openai.com): This tool can guide you in asking the right questions. For a costume clothing company, it can help explore the market, materials, technology, and competitive landscape. It's thorough and can even provide answers to specific research questions.
  2. User Persona Tool (userpersona.dev): This aids in understanding customer types. With minimal input, it can generate a persona, which can then be refined based on more specific details.
  3. IDEAgenerator.ai (ideagenerator.ai/): If you're looking for innovative solutions, this tool can be a goldmine. Input a problem, and it will churn out a list of ideas, from online tools to AR smartphone apps.
  4. AhaApple (ahaapple.com): This tool stands out for its versatility. It generates ideas based on different ideation methods and allows you to select a specific perspective, be it an entrepreneur, engineer, or writer. It even evaluates ideas from various angles and provides a deep intro for promotional purposes.
  5. Validator (validatorai.com): This tool offers a checklist of items to consider when developing ideas. It's chat-based, allowing for interactive problem-solving.
  6. Framer (framer.com): For those looking to design websites without delving into coding, Framer is a boon. It can generate website designs based on simple prompts, adaptable for various devices.

Generative AI tools are burgeoning, and their potential is vast. The key is to experiment, link them to your innovation process, approach with a healthy dose of skepticism, and see how they can elevate the quality of outcomes. The future of innovation is here, and it's powered by Generative AI.