AI is not just the next big thing—it’s the biggest shift we’ve seen since the internet. In our latest Spring2 Innovation webinar, we sat down with Rob Saric, serial entrepreneur and AI innovator, to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, what it means for Canadian businesses, and why leadership, problem-framing, and design thinking matter more than ever.
The Power—and the Risk—of AI
“With AI, we’re not just accessing information—we’re amplifying our thinking,” said Rob. Unlike past tech revolutions, AI goes beyond software or hardware. It adds context to information, fundamentally changing how we work, learn, and create. But that power comes with responsibility: “It’s beautiful and terrifying,” he adds, especially when governance and data sovereignty lag behind global advances.
Watch the full conversation with Rob
While Canada has led in AI research, our business adoption trails far behind—just 14% compared to 30% in the U.S. and 40% in China. Rob emphasizes we need a serious investment in infrastructure, local data management, and policies that protect our innovation ecosystem.
Stop Thinking in Tools—Start Thinking in Problems
One of Rob’s strongest messages was clear: “Don’t start with the tools. Start with the problem.”
In an era flooded with new AI platforms and apps, many organizations fall into the trap of solution-first thinking. But AI’s real potential is unlocked when it’s grounded in human needs and creative problem-framing—a core tenet of design thinking.
At Spring2 Innovation, this is exactly where we thrive and help businesses. Whether you’re navigating legacy systems or launching a new product, our design thinking, strategy, and alignment training supports leaders and teams to focus on what matters: your users, your purpose, and the problems worth solving.
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Start with the problem. Lead with purpose.