Corporate AI Living Labs: A Structured Approach to Accelerating AI Adoption and Transforming Towards AI-Empowered Employees for Operational Excellence

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Published: Dec 11, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24840/2183-0606_012.003_L002
Issue: Vol. 12 No. 3 (2024): (DOIs will be registered as soon as the full issue is closed)
Keywords:
corporate AI living labs, AI adoption, AI-empowered employees, co-creation with employees, real-world experimentation, employee empowerment, scalability of AI solutions, ethical AI governance, impact assessment metrics, automotive industry, employee-driven AI development, operational transformation, framework development for scalability, academia-industry Collaboration, knowledge transfer models

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Andrei Son
Research & Advanced Engineering, Continental Automotive Romania, Timisoara, Romania
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9039-7698
Corina Apachite
Research & Advanced Engineering, Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9039-7698
Alexandra Petcu
Innovation & Technology Transfer Center, West University of Timişoara, Romania
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3938-4051
Dimitri Schuurman
Visiting Professor, imec-MICT-Ghent University, Belgium
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4006-0596

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into corporate environments becomes essential for enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and fostering innovation. While AI adoption has successfully optimized specific operational processes, the holistic deployment of AI aimed at empowering employees remains underdeveloped. This letter introduces the concept of the “AI Living Lab” within corporate environments, designed to accelerate AI adoption, foster innovation, and enhance employee productivity and satisfaction. The concept appeared as a response in Continental Automotive to the problem of faster adoption time and scaling of AI-Empowered Employee solutions inside the company. Through a current observation on the state of the art, Continental Automotive’s AI Living Lab as a case study, and identification of existing gaps, this letter suggests future research areas for a scalable AI Living Lab framework in corporate settings.

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Author Biography

Andrei Son, Research & Advanced Engineering, Continental Automotive Romania, Timisoara, Romania

Andrei Son is a seasoned manager in the automotive industry, currently serving as Country Innovation Manager and Head of Research/Advanced Engineering Romania, with over a decade of experience at Continental.  

In his current roles, Andrei focuses on leading organizations that are delivering innovative projects and services both internally and to external partners. He works to drive regional innovation strategy of Continental, connect regional opportunities with global innovation fields and develops internal programs to enhance innovation skills within the company.  

Before his current positions, Andrei held various roles at Continental, including Team Leader for the ADAS Advanced Engineering Group and ADAS Innovation and Patents Coordinator after he started his career at Continental as a Software Requirements Engineer. 

Outside of Continental, Andrei has experience in technical consultancy and project management for custom enterprise applications, sales and account management roles at companies like SIVECO Romania and e-concept. He's also skilled in public speaking, having been one of the founding members of the first Toastmasters club in Romania. 

Andrei holds a Master degree in Automation Computer Science from University „Politehnica” Timișoara, along with several other certifications in various software technologies, Lean R&D methods and business administration skills. 

With his passion for innovation and extensive experience in technology and business, Andrei continues to drive progress in the automotive industry while shaping the regional innovation ecosystems where his organizations operate.