Citizen Innovation: Putting AI power directly into people's hands

Jul 8

Had such an inspiring conversation today about social value and social mobility, particularly the incredible work my client is doing with 'looked after children' as they transition into young adulthood and employment.

Their key insight was profound: true support comes from truly understanding lived experiences. Instead of a top-down approach, they went straight to the community. And what emerged? A brilliant, innovative game – a powerful mouthpiece for these young people's stories. Simply AMAZING! This is the essence of citizen innovation: empowering those who feel the impact most deeply to drive the solutions.

This got me reflecting on how this philosophy applies to the Future of Work and the emerging world of AI.

I recently read a McKinsey report that suggested the race to the top with AI is stalling because of disconnected, experimental pockets within organisations. Their proposed fix? A rigid, top-down strategy.

But honestly, knowing how workplaces and workflows organically evolve – especially when we're still navigating the unknown Future of Work with AI – I'm not convinced a "command and control" approach will foster the culture we need. Maybe it's just a sign of where we are on this evolutionary curve.

What if the real strategy isn't about control, but about cultivating a culture of psychological safety from the top? A culture that gives genuine permission for curiosity and experimentation, and actively facilitates cross-organisational connectivity. This way, we align efforts and maximise the impact of every localised AI innovation. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and connected enough to bring curiosity to problem-solving.

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