Blueprint for an AI-enabled R&D center

Faster competition and AI-accelerated product cycles push R&D from a support function to a core operating capability. The article outlines how to build an R&D center around a clear innovation vision, agile cross-functional teams, and end-to-end AI use (from opportunity discovery to experimentation, simulation/validation, and decision support). It also frames ecosystem choices—universities, startups, research partners—and location as strategic levers for talent and scale, plus metrics that track learning and business impact. CTOs and platform leaders can use this as a checklist for governance and KPIs before scaling investment.