The AI intelligence playbook: Decoding GenAI capabilities for strategic advantage

Colin Campbell, Sean Sands, Lucas Whittaker and Alexis Mavrommatis

Business Horizons, 2026, vol. 69, issue 4, 557-574

Abstract: The rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) across industries has created new opportunities for efficiency, creativity, and innovation. At the same time, it has introduced confusion about what GenAI is capable of, how it should be used, and where it fits within existing business structures. While GenAI is often treated as a singular capability, we argue that it is better understood as a collection of distinct intelligences that vary in maturity and application. Drawing on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, this article introduces a taxonomy of GenAI intelligences and explores their relationship to current and emerging cases. Leveraging this taxonomy, we provide practical guidance to help businesses identify where GenAI can add value and where it remains limited. We propose that companies adopt an intelligence management approach that treats GenAI not as a generic tool but as a dynamic and evolving collaborator. By understanding the specific capabilities of different AI intelligences, business leaders can align GenAI adoption with strategic goals, clear communication, and competitive advantage.

Keywords: Generative AI; GenAI; Creative intelligence; Human-AI collaboration; Intelligence management; Multiple Intelligences Theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:bushor:v:69:y:2026:i:4:p:557-574

DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2025.08.004

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