Collaborative Innovation: BlueScope’s Journey with Gen AI and the Neu Generator
BLUESCOPE
Humans and AI finally collaborate through a generator program designed to develop a culture of innovation while learning exploring emerging technology. The Emerging Technology Generator – Gen AI was a challenge-based program run over seven weeks where teams across the BlueScope’s global business collaborated to explore problems and generate innovative solutions using GenAI. Teams conducted testing, experiments, and pitched their ideas throughout the process.
By leveraging the Neu Generator to foster the mindset, skillset, and toolset of innovation, in combination with the technical expertise from AI legends Red Marble, we created an environment that championed diversity of thought and the power of inclusion.
This collaborative effort helped to achieve BlueScope’s mission to inspire smart solutions in steel to strengthen communities for the future. The only constraint here (and we mean constraint in the best possible way) was determining how we used GenAI to do this? Through fun of course! Yep 30 people across the BlueScope Business globally proving that Humans and AI can collaborate to shape the future.
CULTURE • INNOVATION
THE OPPORTUNITY
BlueScope, a global leader in steel production, aims to harness the power of Generative AI to enhance operational efficiency and identify growth opportunities.
The goal was to explore Gen AI within the framework of the company's Emerging Technology Radar, fostering global and cross-functional participation, and validating concepts around technology in a way that fostered understanding and mitigation of risks.
To facilitate this exploration BlueScope partnered with Neu21 to implement the 15th Generator Program (yep 15th!) for the BlueScope business. Yet this time we partnered (and kind of fell in love with) Red Marble, experts in this technology, to uncover and unlock its value.
“The level of enthusiasm and commitment from participants was amazing. It was over and above any other similar work we have done”
Rebecca Biggs
BlueScope Program Lead
OUR APPROACH
Let’s dive into the heart of our work – The Neu Generator is designed to help teams learn the core skills of innovation. Over seven structured weeks, the participants embarked on a journey where they thought big and without boundaries to explore innovative solutions using Generative AI.
“Working with you we felt it was safe to think openly and share those ideas. It was always upbeat and positive but done in a way that was still professional to get the outcomes we needed.”
BlueScope Generator Participant
BlueScope
EMPOWERING INNOVATION
This fun and creative process involved identifying challenges within BlueScope, then starting small, gathering evidence (through action) to experiment with those ideas. The goal at the end of the Generator was for teams to convince themselves, stakeholders, and peers to further test, develop, deploy, and potentially scale their ideas further within the business. This Generator was all about how we can build the future of technology within BlueScope.
“Have done plenty of these things before and normally they rush straight into models and process, so it was refreshing to start with human and team. We should never underestimate the importance of connecting especially at the start”
BlueScope Generator Participant
BlueScope
NURTURING INNOVATION
The Generator’s flow brought learners together as a cohort of 30 once a week to learn the skillset and mindset of innovation. Outside of this, breaking off into small teams who stayed together over the seven weeks where they defined their problem to innovate on and took a deeper dive with Red Marble learning about Gen AI.
INTEGRATING INNOVATION
Participants navigated these seven weeks alongside their actual jobs, so a) it had to be a fun and valuable learning experience and b) it was less about ensuring the idea is perfect and more about the process, the team, and the evidence that tells us if the idea is worth pursuing further. OR (and take note reader this bit is super important) if they simply stopped and shared the story of their learnings – thereby applying the newfound mindset, skill set, and tool set of innovation for future problems.
The Results —
Avenue created for BlueScope to harness AI
Aside from BlueScope having a way to dive in and explore cutting edge technology, they have six practical, feasible, ready to go use cases that are actionable within 3-6 months.
Unlocked Global collaboration on key problems worth solving
The programs collaborative approach successfully pinpointed global challenges experienced across geographies and functions; from North America to New Zealand, from Global Market to Australian Steel Products.
The power of the Neu Generator is in the collaboration of great minds and experiences across the organisation to generate ideas. More than 105 ideas were captured across various themes such as Customer Experience, Employee Experience, Training, Information, Forecasting and Planning, Analysis Design, Content Creation, Production, Systems, Technology & Data, Reporting & Processes, Strategy, Automation, Safety, Work Efficiency, Climate, Risk and Legal & Comms.
105 Ideas Generated
Deeper understanding between Technology and the Business
Because of each team's cross-functionality, Technology was able to understand what the Business is trying to achieve. Equally, the Business understands the constraints which Technology needs to operate within.
Innovation Skill Set – 33% increase in ability to test & assess ideas
As part of a pre and post survey capturing innovation and Gen AI abilities, participants indicated the below growth:
Perception of Own Innovation level - 11%
Understanding of Innovation - 13%
Collaborate Cross-Functionally - 25%
Test and Assess Ideas - 33%
Take Innovative Action - 12%
Confidence Pitching Ideas - 22%
Familiarity with GenAI - 31%