Introducing AI & Innovation

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has changed the face of many sectors, altered the fabric of our society and contributed to redefine how both individuals and businesses operate. AI, in brief, has revolutionized our lives in several domains [1]. AI's impact on scientific discovery has been quite remarkable. Researchers around the world nowadays regularly use AI to discover new insights, generate hypotheses, design experiments, collect and interpret data in ways that were previously thought to be impossible [2-4]. This is true in many fields. For example, in climate science [5], in biology [6, 7], in mathematics [8, 9], in physics [10, 11], in data science [12, 13], in chemistry [14, 15], and even in medicine [16]. Yet, AI has also become a driving force for industrial and economic development, especially in the context of intelligent automation. This is particularly true, for example, in manufacturing [17] where AI is used to prevent equipment failures and optimize production lines. In this sphere, AI is also used for the development of industrial robots that can carry out usually complicated tasks in highly controlled human environments [18]. Finance is another area in which AI is making mighty inroads [19]. In finance AI is used for trading, in fraud detection, as well as for personalized financial advice. Agriculture is also taking full advantage of AI's transformative powers [20, 21]. The application of AI technologies in agriculture can optimize crop yields, monitor crop health, or detect pests. More generally, one can say that the last decade has seen an incredible growth in the development of digital technologies to the extent that many have described it as “The Decade of Disruption.” Much of what is nowadays normal (including 5G, voice recognition, cloud computing, Internet of Things, electric vehicles, self-driving cards, drones, 3D printing, blockchain, just to mention a few), barely existed 10 years ago and is being actively built on the basis of AI technologies [22]. So, it is not an exaggeration to assert that AI is actively and decisively driving the new digital revolution [23-29]. However, AI may have an even larger impact by serving as a new general-purpose “method of invention” that can reshape the nature of the innovation process and the organization of research and development.1 In other words, AI can act as a booster of human capacities allowing people to collaborate [even virtually, at distance] among themselves or with AI-powered systems to boost creativity, productivity, efficiency, as well as decision-making processes [30]. Yet, next to these potentially enormous benefits, also come certain challenges and important ethical considerations (related to AI's potential for bias and discrimination, as well as issues concerning privacy and explainability) that put at risk our trust in this technology. Despite these challenges, though, it is clear that AI's applications in decision-making are becoming increasingly more frequent. AI is, de facto, changing how companies and governments address problems, gather and process data, and even reason and execute solutions in their business strategies and general public policies. Therefore, it is important to connect design practices with the consideration of ethical, legal and social aspects (ELSA) of AI, and for instance, to consider whether human centered AI is sufficient to serve societal goals or should be extended to challenges that could increase but also could be addressed by bio-centered AI [31]. Future innovations will quintessentially depend on advanced collaboration between humans and AI technologies. These bio-synthetic partnerships, if properly implemented, shall augment human capabilities and lead to joint outcomes that could not be reached separately, independently by either humans or AI technologies on their own. In this context, responsible development is therefore crucial. Ethical standards, as well as proper governance and careful technical reflections on the possibilities and prospects of these technologies should be actively pursued and implemented to guide, shape, and mold the ongoing AI revolution and ensure a future for all of us that is inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with human values. Yet, we must also soberly recognize that this path to a responsible AI future is not preordained. At present, the global discourse on AI governance—its agendas, its ethical frameworks, and indeed its very priorities—is still predominantly shaped by a handful of dominant voices. The Global South, home to the majority of the world's population and a vibrant wellspring of talent, has too often been relegated to the role of a spectator or a subject of discussion, rather than an architect of our shared digital destiny. This imbalance must be corrected. This is one of the core mandates animating the launch of this journal. We are committed to serving as a strategic platform to amplify underrepresented voices, to connect fragmented wisdom and epistemologies, and to challenge unspoken power structures and ontologies. We believe that a truly equitable and resilient global AI ecosystem must be built upon a profound respect for, and an equal dialog among, diverse developmental pathways and civilizational insights. AI & Innovation (henceforth AI2) is an international, peer-reviewed, multi-disciplinary journal sponsored by the Institute for Digital Economy and Artificial Systems [IDEAS] of Xiamen City (People's Republic of China) and developed in strategic partnership with both the Research Centre for Technological Innovation at Tsinghua University and with the Institute of Artificial Intelligence of Xiamen University. The journal, which nevertheless runs independently from those institutions, is devoted to exploring, from a holistic and interdisciplinary perspective, the profound socio-technical implications, as well as the ethical ramifications, of the forthcoming AI revolution; especially in relation to innovation, technological development, and governance of global challenges. AI2 aims to provide authoritative scholarship capable of enabling decision-makers to intentionally engage and successfully guide the new Industrial Revolution. Our mission is to cultivate a vibrant intellectual ecosystem that will not only advance scientific understanding but also guide the responsible and beneficial integration of AI into the fabric of society. At the heart of this mission lies the recognition that Artificial Intelligence is not only a scientific and technological frontier but also a powerful driver of digital transformation across industries, institutions, and societies. Innovation in AI increasingly acts as the catalyst of social change, reshaping economic models, cultural practices, and governance structures in ways that demand both rigorous intellectual inquiry and responsible stewardship. By exploring the reciprocal dynamics between AI, innovation, and digital transformation, this journal aspires to guide the development of sustainable socio-technical ecosystems that integrate technological excellence with ethical foresight and human-centric values. Our editorial philosophy is deeply inspired by wisdom traditions that emphasize a synthesis of inner cultivation and outer contribution. We believe in “Self-Discipline,” a relentless dedication to rigorous inquiry and a commitment to continuous self-improvement. We also hold fast to “Social Commitment,” the profound responsibility to ensure that all knowledge and innovation carry the weight of advancing human well-being and societal progress. We champion the principle that “Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” dedicating ourselves to translating deep academic insights into actionable solutions for real-world challenges. The strategic positioning of AI2 is one of “field creation, not imitation”. We recognize that the most influential journals in history have often created and institutionalized new areas of inquiry. Therefore, we do not seek to necessarily compete in the established lanes of mature AI or innovation journals. Instead, we are dedicated to defining and leading an emergent, vital, and highly interdisciplinary field, which we may call “Global AI Governance and Equitable Innovation.” We aim to become the intellectual center of gravity for this new field, providing much needed novel insights and a unique platform for scholars worldwide to conduct integrated, systemic analysis of the interplay between AI's foundational science, its engineering systems, its societal impact, and its ethical governance. Interdisciplinarity: A unique trait of the journal is its interdisciplinary nature. Submissions ought to integrate insights from at least two of the research dimensions listed in the journal's description. This requirement ensures the synthesis of knowledge required to push beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. Diversity and Inclusivity: The journal exerts its influence beyond academic confines to actively engage society and inform decision-makers. Our editorial board representing more than 20 countries, with a significant focus on emerging economies, champions diverse methodologies and varies epistemological and ethical insights. Its global reach positions the journal as a vital catalyst for developing multilateral, decentralized AI policies that are aimed at maximizing the benefits of the AI Revolution for human flourishing and moral development. Top-Notch Expertise Shaping Global Discourse: The editorial board is composed of world-renowned scholars and includes Fellows of esteemed national academies (such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, The Russian Academy of Sciences, The Royal Society of Canada, The Royal Society of Edinburgh, The British Academy, The Australian Academy of Humanities etc), members of leading professional organizations (such as IEEE Life Fellows), as well as recipient of significant national honors (e.g., Officers of the Order of Australia, Australia Laureate Fellows) and current or past Presidents of important scientific societies (such as the International Fuzzy Systems Association, the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society, among the others). This unparalleled expertise ensures the highest level of academic rigor while guaranteeing representativeness and a truly global reach. Pushing the Boundaries of Science: by serving as the definitive academic and professional venue for catalyzing cross-disciplinary dialog, accelerating scientific advancements and fostering a holistic understanding of AI's transformative potential in technological innovation, economic paradigms, and societal structures. Empowering Visionary Governance and Strategic Foresight: by publishing rigorous, authoritative scholarship capable of endowing decision-makers, industry leaders, and policymakers with the evidence-based insights and ethical frameworks necessary to proactively engage with, and judiciously steer, the ongoing AI-driven global transformation, toward societal harmony. Championing Human-Centric Values and Sustainable Futures in the AI Era: by critically analyzing the socio-economic impacts precipitated by AI, articulating theoretical landscapes and value systems, as well as by promoting the design and adoption of policies and innovations that prioritize equitable human flourishing, democratic values, and enduring societal well-being. Foundations and Frontiers of AI Science: Advancing innovative theoretical paradigms and exploring the fundamental underpinnings of intelligence. AI Engineering and Systems Innovation: Spotlighting transformative technological breakthroughs in AI hardware, software, and integrated systems. AI Applications and Societal Impact: Addressing critical sector-specific applications and global challenges and societal disruption, from healthcare to climate change. AI Ecosystems, Governance and Ethics: Forging pathways to responsible AI futures through robust ethical frameworks and equitable governance models. AI2 invites manuscripts that contribute toward the productive engagement between the ongoing AI revolution and technological innovation, whether through purely academic investigations or through the development of public policies or private actions that may govern their development. AI2 also welcomes articles that use various methodologies and diverse cultural, ethical as well as epistemological insights to productively inform and advance ongoing debates on substantive, future-oriented questions about new AI technologies and their impact in society. AI2 thus wants to provide a multidisciplinary, diverse, and inclusive platform for the increasing number of highly interdisciplinary scholars working in this research domain. Research Articles (up to 10,000 words): Present novel findings from empirical studies, experiments, or theoretical work. These articles typically include a structured abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and limitations. Review Articles (up to 12,000 words): Summarize and critically evaluate existing literature on a specific topic. Such articles should provide new insights, identify gaps, and suggest future research directions. Short Communications (up to 2500 words): Brief reports of data from original research that are of immediate interest. Typically includes a concise introduction, methods, results, and discussion. Editorial Opinions (up to 1500 words): Pieces written by the journal's editorial team or invited experts, often commenting on issues of societal relevance or articles published in the journal. Perspective Articles (up to 4000 words): Author opinions or forward-looking commentaries on a field, often industry oriented. AI & Innovation also encourages prospective authors to submit for consideration for publication high-quality proposals for Topical Collections (Special Issues). Unlike many established journals that address AI narrowly as a technical challenge or focus exclusively on innovation in business and management, AI & Innovation is deliberately conceived as a hybrid intellectual space. Its uniqueness lies in bringing together the often siloed perspectives of engineering, ethics, governance, economics and socio-cultural studies into a single platform. In doing so, it addresses a critical gap in the scholarly ecosystem: the absence of a forum that systematically integrates the scientific foundations of AI with its global societal consequences and governance imperatives. By amplifying voices from underrepresented regions and epistemic traditions the journal does not merely follow existing discourses but reshapes them. This combination of interdisciplinarity, inclusivity and global equity makes AI & Innovation a pioneering venture capable of setting new standards for research and debate in the decades ahead. Mirko Farina: conceptualization, writing – review and editing, writing – original draft. Xiao Yu: writing – original draft. Rongrong Ji: writing – original draft. Chen Jin: writing – original draft. Vincent Blok: writing – original draft. Paolo Ciancarini: writing – original draft. Ngcaweni Busani: writing – original draft. Witold Pedrycz: writing – original draft. There are numerous people to thank for the significant undertaking of starting a new journal. Firstly, the team at Wiley which has been dedicated, responsive and very professional from the very beginning. Secondly, the 64 international members of our stellar editorial board, who demonstrated kindness and remarkable commitment in joining the activities of this new venue and enthusiastically contributing to it from the start. Thirdly, the associate editors, who despite their heavy commitments, have kindly accepted to perform academic duties for the journal. Lastly, all of you our dear readers and potential contributors, who, we are sure will contribute to form a vibrant intellectual community and a common understanding of AI in Innovation that we hope will make real inroads not only to scholarship but also to the ways in which science, technology and innovation exist in today's ever changing, polycentric world. So, thank you, dear readers, and welcome to AI & Innovation.