Exploring the Role of AI in Teamwork and Innovation at P&G

At P&G, the quest for innovation is always ongoing, aiming to enhance the lives of the countless people who rely on their products daily. The company has been leveraging digital tools to speed up innovation, but recently, they took a deeper dive into understanding how AI can impact their entire organization. By teaming up with Harvard Business School’s Digital Data Design Institute and Wharton Business School’s AI Innovation Network, P&G conducted a live hackathon. This event brought together P&G professionals to tackle real-world business challenges and explore how AI could contribute to finding effective solutions.

AI as a Valuable Team Member

The findings were quite revealing. Teams that incorporated AI into their processes were about 12% faster. This suggests that the best outcomes arise when humans and AI work together, rather than AI replacing human roles. The collaboration between people and AI opens up new opportunities for achieving peak performance.

Breaking Down Barriers with AI

One of the standout benefits of AI in this study was its ability to help professionals from various departments work together more effectively. AI facilitated the development of well-rounded solutions by bridging the gap between different areas of expertise. It helped create a more unified approach to problem-solving across the organization.

Boosting Employee Morale

Beyond enhancing efficiency and performance, AI also had a positive impact on employee morale. The language-based interface of AI led to more positive emotional responses from participants, suggesting that AI can improve the overall employee experience.

Why This Matters

Integrating AI into teams not only boosts capabilities and collaboration but also enhances the employee experience. Engaged and well-connected employees are more likely to come up with unique and groundbreaking solutions to tough challenges—whether it's removing stubborn stains, keeping babies dry, or cleaning dishes with less water. Plus, these solutions can be brought to market more quickly.

Victor Aguilar, P&G's Chief R&D and Innovation Officer, emphasized the transformative potential of AI, stating that it unlocks new ideas and speeds up innovation. The company is committed to continuing its exploration of AI in product development to harness its full potential.

Embracing AI in Everyday Work

To maximize the benefits of AI, it's essential for everyone to know how to integrate this technology into their daily tasks. P&G is investing in training to ensure employees become proficient in using AI to enhance their roles. Seth Cohen, P&G's Chief Information Officer, highlighted the ongoing collaboration with Harvard Business School to find new ways to leverage digital tools for improving operations and products.

For those interested in a deeper dive into the study's findings, the full paper is available for further reading.