Business Innovation with AI: The Design Thinking Approach
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Led by INDEX
Next Start Date: 15-17 April 2026 | Standard Price: £1,850 | Venue: London Zoo
20% discount is available for Alumni
- The price includes lunch and refreshments. Price does not include any travel or accommodation that you may require
Do you want to solve real world business challenges utilising AI?
Hosted at the London Zoo this 3-day expert led accelerator masterclass is designed to help professionals harness the power of AI to solve real-world business challenges effectively. Moving beyond theoretical discussions of AI potential, we focus on the practical application of GenAI tools through the lens of the industry-standard “Double Diamond” design thinking framework.
The masterclass is specifically tailored for those tasked with solving real world complex business challenges, such as innovation leads, product leads, project managers, and SME executives who require a structured approach to operationalising AI within their teams.
What will you learn?
- How to identify the right business problems for AI
– Use AI-powered discovery and systems thinking to uncover root causes and real opportunities. - How to structure AI innovation using design thinking
– Apply the Double Diamond framework to move from challenge to solution with clarity and speed. - How to generate and test AI-enabled solutions
– Use LLMs, RAG, and advanced reasoning techniques to create feasible, high-value ideas. - How to turn AI ideas into execution-ready strategies
– Build implementation roadmaps, define KPIs, and create board-ready business cases. - How to adopt AI responsibly and at scale
– Understand governance, data privacy, security, and how to drive implementation.
Participants are encouraged to bring a current work-related challenge to the programme. With guidance from academic experts, you will apply these techniques in real-time, leaving with a validated, “board-ready” implementation roadmap and a valuable network of peers navigating similar challenges.
Benefits
- Clarity on where AI will deliver real business value
You’ll be able to quickly identify the right problems for AI, avoiding wasted investment and experimentation. - A proven framework to drive innovation with confidence
You’ll gain a structured, repeatable approach (Double Diamond) to move from challenge to solution. - Faster, higher-quality solution design
You’ll use advanced AI techniques to generate, test, and refine ideas that are both creative and feasible. - Execution-ready outcomes, not just concepts
You’ll leave with a practical roadmap, clear KPIs, and a board-ready proposal for your organisation. - Confidence to lead responsible AI transformation
You’ll understand how to manage risk, governance, and change while scaling AI across your business.
This masterclass is suited to:
This masterclass is ideal for professionals in leadership or advisory roles who are shaping strategy and driving transformation. You don’t need a technical background - just a desire to explore what AI can do for your organisation.
You are likely to be:
- Leading a department, function, or organisation
- Involved in innovation, transformation, or strategic planning
- Advising clients or stakeholders on business challenges
- Exploring how AI could support growth and efficiency
Whether you're from the private, public, or third sector, this masterclass will help you understand AI's potential and provide a clear framework for you to solve real-world business challenges.
Faculty staff
Dr Pingfei Jiang
Senior Lecturer at INDEX at the University of Exeter’s Business School - Pingfei Jiang is an expert in AI for Intellectual Property and Design. His pioneering work on AI-augmented patent intelligence and early-stage design conceptualisation explores how Generative AI can unlock clarity in the “fuzzy front end” of product development, where the biggest opportunities are often hidden. Together with Ji Han, he will co-lead the Define and Develop phases of the Double Diamond design model. Their sessions are designed to equip you with a practical and immediately applicable GenAI toolkit, enabling you to structure complex business challenges with confidence and transform them into robust, data-backed solution concepts.
Dr Ji Han
Associate Professor at INDEX at the University of Exeter’s Business School - Ji Han is an expert in AI for design and creativity. His research on AI-supported problem framing, idea generation and evaluation focuses on how GenAI can systematically deconstruct complex challenges and rigorously assess solution quality. Together with Pingfei Jiang, they will co-lead the Define and Develop phases of the Double-Diamond design model. Their sessions will provide you with a practical toolkit to utilise GenAI to support defining complex business problems and developing robust and data-backed solutions.
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Dr Boyeun Lee
Lecturer at INDEX at the University of Exeter’s Business School - Boyeun Lee is an expert in AI-led Design Innovation. Drawing on her recent research, she will introduce six types of AI assistance for design and innovation: knowledge augmentation, knowledge generation, design generation, prediction, decision-making, and coordination (Lee and Kim, 2025). Co-leading the Discover and Deliver phases of the Double Diamond Design Process with Gokcen Yilmaz, their sessions will equip you with a practical toolkit to identify key business challenges and rigorously evaluate potential solutions.
Dr Gokcen Yilmaz
Lecturer at INDEX at the University of Exeter’s Business School - Gokcen Yilmaz is an industrial engineer and expert in information systems and digital transformation, specialising in the implementation of scalable digital solutions. Her research on digital capability assessment and the deployment of low-cost digital transformation focuses on how organisations can bridge the gap between initial innovation and operational reality. Gokcen will co-lead the Discover and Deliver phases of the Double Diamond Design Process with Boyeun Lee. Their sessions will introduce a strategic framework to identify AI implementation opportunities in business operations, provide guidance on the final rollout, and apply rigorous performance metrics to evaluate the organisational impact and long-term value of implemented AI.
Date
Date: 15 - 17 April 2026
Costs
Standard Price: £1850
20% discount is available for Alumni
- The price includes lunch and refreshments. Price does not include any travel or accommodation that you may require
- Bartlett Suite, Nuffield Building, Outer Cir, LONDON ZOO, London NW1 4RY
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Connect with a team member
If you have any questions or would like to have a chat about creating a custom programme to benefit you or your organisation, please get in touch with our Executive Education team.
Rebecca Polson
Professional Education Business Development Manager
Will Yeates
Professional Education Business Development Manager