“AI doesn’t replace strategic thinking—it accelerates it.” — Tom Davenport — Academic, consultant, author
Tom Davenport’s quote captures the essence of the relationship between human judgment and advances in artificial intelligence. Davenport, a leading authority on analytics and business process innovation, has spent decades studying how organizations make decisions and adopt new technologies.
As AI systems have rapidly evolved—from early rule-based approaches to today’s powerful generative models—their promise is often misunderstood. Some fear AI might make human thinking obsolete, especially in complex arenas like strategy. Davenport has consistently challenged this notion. He argues that AI’s true value lies in amplifying, not eliminating, the need for rigorous, creative, and forward-looking thought. AI is a tool that enables strategists to test more ideas, analyze larger datasets, and see farther into future possibilities—but it is strategic thinking, shaped by human experience and ambition, that guides AI toward meaningful goals.
Davenport’s perspective is grounded in his extensive work with businesses and his scholarship at leading universities. In his conversations and writings, he notes that while AI democratizes access to information and automates routine analysis, a competitive edge still hinges on asking the right questions and crafting distinctive strategies. The leaders who thrive in the AI era are those who learn to harness its speed and breadth, using it to accelerate the cycles of planning, validation, and innovation rather than replace the uniquely human qualities of insight and judgment.
About Tom Davenport
Tom Davenport, born in 1954, is an influential American academic, business consultant, and author. He specializes in analytics, business process innovation, and knowledge management. Davenport is well-known for his pioneering books such as Competing on Analytics and his widely-cited research on how organizations create value from data. Affiliated with prestigious institutions, he has helped shape how leaders think about information, technology, and business transformation.
Davenport’s views on AI are informed by years of advising Fortune 500 companies, conducting academic research, and contributing to thought leadership at the intersection of technology and management. His insights have been instrumental in helping organizations adapt to the changing landscape of digital innovation, emphasizing that technology serves best when paired with human creativity, analytical rigor, and strategic vision
