David Rowan, founding Editor-in-Chief of WIRED UK and a global advisor on digital transformation, argues that artificial intelligence represents a far greater disruption to business than the internet or mobile ever did. Having studied innovation cultures across 30+ countries, he highlights AI as the defining force set to transform business models, decision-making, and customer engagement at unprecedented speed.
For Rowan, generative AI is more than a tool—it is becoming the invisible infrastructure of modern organisations, comparable to electricity. From automating processes and creating marketing campaigns to accelerating drug discovery and developing carbon-negative materials, AI is rapidly embedding itself into every operational layer.
Yet true innovation, he stresses, is not about titles or departments; it requires a cultural shift. Leaders must decentralise decision-making, embrace cognitive diversity, and empower teams to experiment without immediate pressure for returns. Authentic innovation emerges when organisations protect unconventional thinkers and foster environments where new ideas can flourish.
Rowan’s experience as an investor in 180 startups reinforces this point: resilience, passion, and solving real problems drive transformative ventures. Even crises, he notes, can become catalysts for reinvention if organisations adopt transparency and bold strategies for long-term growth.
Read more: https://aijourn.com/david-rowan-on-why-ai-will-reshape-business-faster-than-the-internet-ever-did/