Research scientist Neil Thompson says that a key question is not just whether AI algorithms can exhibit original ideas, but how generally this may apply to scientific research and innovation. "If these capabilities can be used to tackle bigger, less tightly-scoped problems, it has the potential to accelerate innovation — and thus prosperity."

"Let's be honest, announcements are always at the high end. I don't think the actual effect is as big as the headline. But the sign is positive," said professor Simon Johnson. Johnson previously suggested CEOs get on Trump's good side by announcing development deals in swing states, even if those promises later turn out to be "vaporware."

Professor Eric von Hippel said: "Every field we look at in terms of the basic innovations, about half were done by users. And it's fantastic. Companies very seldom mention the user-developed roots of their innovations. In all our studies, what we find is that the producers lag the users."

Professor Emilio J. Castilla wrote: "The paradox of meritocracy suggests that the more managers and others in decision-making positions are reassured of their companies' meritocratic ethos, the less likely they are to reflect on their own biases, often leading to decisions that may disproportionately affect marginalized employees."

Ideally, companies would remove layers and spread decision-making throughout the organization so that those closest to customers or technology, for example, could generate ideas and make decisions, professor Deborah Ancona said. "You're kind of flipping the organization," she said. "Rather than all the ideas coming from on high, you have entrepreneurial leaders who are lower down in the organization coming up with new ideas."

According to recent industry surveys, over 60% of marketers already use AI tools for content creation, and nearly 80% plan to expand adoption in 2025. "AI should augment marketers, not replace them. Its strengths lie in speed and scale, not judgment," professor Sinan Aral said.

The harm to the solar industry is already being done, said assistant professor Jacquelyn Pless. The constant back and forth over policy, she said, makes it extremely difficult for companies to plan ahead. "Policy volatility is really my bigger concern," Pless said. "Policy uncertainty alone can start to freeze investment, raise costs, and damage market confidence."

"This opens the floodgates," research scientist Christian Catalini said. "You'll see entry by many issuers. Consumers will all have more choices. This will bring more competition and innovation in payments."