AI & the Art of Problem Solving Creative Solutions in a Digital Age #254034

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Master a Hybrid Problem-Solving Framework: Apply a structured, repeatable process that integrates human creativity with AI’s analytical and generative power.

• Reframe and Redefine Problems: Use AI tools to challenge assumptions, uncover the root causes of complex issues, and discover more impactful problem statements.

• Generate Divergent AI-Augmented Solutions: Leverage Generative AI and other tools to rapidly produce a wide array of potential solutions, moving far beyond obvious answers.

• Prototype and Test Solutions Rapidly: Utilize AI to simulate outcomes, create low-fidelity prototypes, and gather feedback to iterate and refine concepts quickly.

• Make Data-Informed Creative Decisions: Combine AI-driven data analysis with human judgment to evaluate and select the most viable and innovative solutions.

• Cultivate a AI-Enhanced Creative Mindset: Develop the habits and practices of a modern problem-solver who thrives on human-machine collaboration.

This course is designed for any professional whose role involves tackling complex, ambiguous, or persistent challenges:

• Consultants & Strategists

• Product Managers & Developers

• Engineers & R&D Specialists

• Marketing & Brand Managers

• Entrepreneurs & Business Owners

• Operations & Supply Chain Managers

• Policy Makers & Social Innovators

• Leaders & Managers across all functions

• Anyone looking to enhance their creative and analytical capabilities with AI.

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Day 1: The New Problem-Solving Partnership: Humans + AI

• AM: The Limits of Intuition and the Power of Synergy

  • Why complex problems defy traditional analysis: Introduction to wicked problems and cognitive biases.

  • AI as a cognitive partner: Enhancing, not replacing, human creativity.

  • Case Studies: Breakthrough solutions achieved through human-AI collaboration.

• PM: The Hybrid Problem-Solving Framework

  • Introduction to the end-to-end process: Define -> Diverge -> Converge -> Test -> Refine.

  • Workshop: Applying the first step to a real-world challenge. Using AI to explore and reframe the problem space.

Day 2: The Define Phase: Finding the True North

• AM: Uncovering the Root Cause

  • Advanced questioning techniques powered by AI dialogue (e.g., using ChatGPT as a Socratic partner).

  • Using AI to analyze large volumes of data (e.g., customer feedback, system logs) to identify patterns and pinpoint core issues.

• PM: Crafting the Perfect Problem Statement

  • The art of the “How Might We…” statement, refined with AI.

  • Hands-on Exercise: Teams use AI tools to dissect a case study and draft a precise, actionable problem brief.

Day 3: The Diverge Phase: The Idea Machine

• AM: AI-Augmented Brainstorming

  • Prompt engineering for maximum creativity and novelty.

  • Using Generative AI to create hundreds of ideas, concepts, and analogies from different industries and perspectives.

• PM: Breaking Through Creative Blocks

  • Techniques for using AI to challenge assumptions and combine seemingly unrelated concepts.

  • Workshop: A guided ideation sprint where teams use multiple AI tools to generate a vast portfolio of potential solutions.

Day 4: The Converge & Test Phases: From Ideas to Action

• AM: Evaluating with Augmented Intelligence

  • Using AI to simulate potential outcomes, predict bottlenecks, and perform preliminary risk assessments on top ideas.

  • Creating evaluation matrices weighted with AI-driven data insights.

• PM: Rapid Prototyping and Simulation

  • Using AI to generate prototype scripts, design mockups, and draft user stories.

  • Hands-on Exercise: Teams build a simple prototype or a detailed plan to test their leading solution, using AI to generate supporting materials.

Day 5: The Refine Phase and Capstone Challenge

• AM: Integrating Feedback and Building the Narrative

  • Using AI to analyze feedback, identify themes, and suggest refinements.

  • Crafting a compelling story to communicate the solution to stakeholders.

• PM: Capstone Project: The AI-Powered Solution Sprint

  • Final Exercise: Teams are presented with a new, complex problem. They must run the entire framework—from definition to a refined solution pitch—within a condensed timeframe, leveraging AI tools at every step.

  • Presentations, peer feedback, and expert critique.

  • Course Wrap-Up: Creating a personal toolkit and action plan for applying these techniques to real-world challenges.