Organizations that foster a culture of innovation are increasingly reaping greater rewards from their strategic technology investments than their peers. However, in leveraging advanced technologies for future growth, many companies encounter significant challenges in aligning their organizational cultures with digital ambitions. Cultural obstacles, such as risk aversion and siloed mindsets, have emerged as key impediments to the effective implementation of digital strategies.

Today, the rise of emerging technologies, particularly generative AI, is disrupting industries and underscores the necessity of innovation to ensure long-term viability. Consequently, understanding how culture influences the success of these initiatives has never been more critical.

Marc Wehbi, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Shaffra, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing specific technologies to enhance innovation capabilities. According to Wehbi, organizations should focus on AI-driven automation, data analytics, and cloud computing as pivotal innovation enablers. These technologies enable businesses to innovate faster, adapt to market changes, and uncover new growth opportunities. At Shaffra, Wehbi adds, integrating AI and cloud-based platforms is essential for maintaining competitiveness and transforming traditional business operations. 

Dr. Hassan Albalawi, CEO and Founder of WakeCap, a Riyadh-based software company, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing specific technologies to enhance organizations’ innovation capabilities. He advocates using tools that promote agility, data-driven decision-making, and operational efficiency. Drawing from his experience in the construction and industrial sectors, he says, “Organizations today need to prioritize technologies that enable agility, data-driven decision-making, and efficiency across operations.” 

Citing an example of how things work at WakeCap, he says IoT solutions are utilized for real-time data collection on construction sites, particularly in monitoring worker safety and productivity. For instance, their IoT-connected devices have tracked over 70 million worker hours across projects, including those managed by Saudi Aramco.

“This technology allows us to capture data on worker activities, environmental conditions, and safety risks, which can be transformed into actionable insights that prevent incidents before they escalate,”  Dr. Albalawi says. The IoT system has improved safety protocols and emergency response times by providing real-time visibility into worker conditions.

“AI is another critical tool organizations should prioritize,”  Dr. Albalawi adds. AI-powered analytics further optimize project timelines, identify inefficiencies, and ensure adherence to safety standards. By integrating AI into its platform, WakeCap has achieved predictive maintenance capabilities, thereby reducing costly downtime on construction sites. “This integration has enabled us to streamline operations and enhance safety standards.”

 “Historically, businesses haven’t been ready for breakthroughs like the Internet, e-commerce, etc., and today, we see a similar gap with AI, data, and automation. The key to success isn’t just adopting these technologies—it’s reframing our business models around them,” says Richard McKeon, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Tahaluf, Saudi Arabia’s fastest-growing business event organizer.

According to McKeon, organizations must go beyond adopting technologies to stay competitive and create products that resonate with evolving customer needs. “It’s about understanding the intersection between innovation and human behavior. We must stop thinking about tools and ask how these tools can empower us to serve people better,” he adds. Citing an example of Tahaluf, he says the organization is considering combining data-driven insights with a deep empathy for audiences. “When we leverage AI, for example, it’s not to replace the human element but to enhance our understanding of it and personalize experiences in intuitive and deeply relevant ways,” McKeon says. 

“Competitive advantage comes from creating seamless, almost invisible integrations between technology and the human experience. It’s about letting customers feel the innovations were made for them, not just deployed at them. The winners will be those who understand this nuance and design technologically advanced products but are fundamentally human,” McKeon adds.

TRANSFORMING BUSINESSES WITH TECH 

AI and machine learning are increasingly recognized as transformative forces. Hence, leveraging them is critical. “AI and machine learning are revolutionizing traditional business processes by automating repetitive tasks, reducing human error, and enabling real-time data processing,” says Wehbi. 

Citing WakeCap as an example, Dr. Albalawi says AI and ML integration has streamlined operations on construction sites by automating timekeeping and tracking worker movements, alleviating administrative burdens, and keeping project timelines on track.

Both Wehbe and Dr. Albalawi emphasize the predictive capabilities of AI as critical in enhancing efficiency. 

Dr. Albalawi points out that their AI algorithms analyze vast datasets from IoT sensors to anticipate safety hazards and equipment malfunctions. This is especially crucial in construction, where failures can lead to costly delays. He adds, “Our platform uses AI to detect falls, head impacts, and other emergencies in real-time, enabling faster responses and preventing accidents.” This focus on safety protects workers and boosts productivity by reducing downtime associated with incidents.

Moreover, AI-powered predictive analytics enables organizations to anticipate maintenance needs and optimize resource allocation. 

Wehbi cites a McKinsey report indicating that companies utilizing AI for predictive maintenance have reduced equipment downtime by 10-20%, underscoring the technology’s transformative impact in industries where machinery failures can be costly.

Innovative companies’ collaboration is further propelling these advancements. For instance, the acquisition of Crews by Core, a Silicon Valley-based AI-powered project delivery platform, has enabled WakeCap to enhance its project scheduling and risk management tools, resulting in more efficient site operations. 

Internal and external collaboration is a cornerstone of success. Internally, teams must be encouraged to engage in cross-departmental collaboration, fostering an environment where insights are shared and challenges are tackled collectively.

According to McKeon, the key to leveraging AI and ML lies in viewing them as tools and transformative enablers rather than replacements for human intuition, particularly in the event sector. It’s not just about adopting new technologies but rethinking operational models to offer more personalized and efficient experiences. AI can analyze large datasets from past events to predict trends, attendee preferences, and logistical challenges, allowing for more tailored offerings and enhanced customer satisfaction. Machine Learning further refines these insights, enabling a dynamic response to evolving attendee behavior and market conditions.

“The magic happens when these technologies are integrated into a broader strategic framework that puts customer needs at the forefront,” McKeon says. By leveraging AI and ML, we can develop a deeper understanding of our customers, deliver more engaging and customized experiences, and ultimately, create a competitive advantage in a crowded marketplace. 

“In this way, AI and ML are not just tools for operational efficiency, but catalysts for innovation and growth,” he adds.

FOSTERING CONTINUOUS INNOVATION 

Fostering a culture of innovation is a multifaceted endeavor that begins with strong leadership. Dr. Albalawi emphasizes that at WakeCap, technology is embedded into every facet of operations, from worker safety to project management, showcasing how embracing new tools can significantly impact performance.

“To foster a culture of innovation, organizations must prioritize leadership support, continuous learning, and cross-departmental collaboration,” Wehbi says, adding that leaders should actively advocate for using AI and other emerging technologies, providing a clear vision of how these tools can drive growth.

Continuous learning and development are also critical components of innovation strategies. Wehbi says investing in training programs is vital to equip employees with the necessary skills to adapt to new technologies. 

“Fostering a collaborative environment where teams can experiment with and share innovative practices encourages broader adoption,” Wehbi adds. 

“Embracing the notion that innovation isn’t simply an option but a necessity is essential. This begins with leadership—leaders must champion technological advancements and embody the curiosity and willingness to experiment that they wish to instill throughout their organization,” says McKeon.

A culture of innovation requires leadership commitment, ongoing education, and collaboration—both within the organization and with external partners. Wehbi says, “At Shaffra, we emphasize a culture of continuous improvement, where AI is seen as a partner, not a replacement, to human creativity.”

According to McKeon, innovation thrives in an environment that rewards risk-taking and views failures as stepping stones to success; fostering a culture of continuous learning and by maintaining open lines of communication across all levels of the organization is imperative.