How are innovations different from inventions?
Author: Jay Thomas
UX Designer who builds UX research teams, leads design teams, and implements Jobs to be Done (JTBD) in companies
The terms innovation and invention are often used interchangeably—but they’re not the same.
Invention is the creation of a new solution, technology, or method. But that doesn't mean it's useful or widely adopted.
Innovation, by contrast, is the successful implementation of a new way to get a job done (in JTBD terms), one that delivers value and changes the market.
An invention alone doesn’t guarantee market success. Tech history is full of ideas that were ahead of their time or never reached mass adoption.
Examples:
In 1973, the first mobile phone was invented. But it took over 20 years before mobile phones became mainstream. The tech existed, but it was too expensive, infrastructure was lacking, and people didn’t see the need yet.
Electric cars have existed since the late 1800s. But only recently did Tesla and others turn them into market innovations, offering not just a new tech but a full user experience—with charging infrastructure and lifestyle alignment.
Bottom line: An invention stays theoretical until it's embedded into how users work and live—it becomes innovation only when it changes user behavior.
AI = Invention
Artificial Intelligence is a tech breakthrough born from decades of research—machine learning, neural nets, data processing. But AI itself doesn’t solve real user problems. It's a toolkit.
Examples:
Machine learning algorithms that predict outcomes
Neural networks that recognize speech or images
These are inventions—powerful, but not useful by default. They become innovations only when applied to specific jobs.
ChatGPT and DeepSeek = Innovations
These products apply AI to real-world tasks. They didn’t invent AI—they made it usable.
Why are they innovations?
They solve real jobs.
ChatGPT helps people write, learn, generate ideas, code.
DeepSeek simplifies business tasks, analytics, decision-making.
They change behavior.
People use ChatGPT instead of Google or even human consultants.
DeepSeek automates tedious work, freeing up time.
They create new value.
They make advanced AI usable and accessible to the general public.
Why does this matter?
AI (the invention) is complex and out of reach for most people.
ChatGPT/DeepSeek (the innovations) make it simple, usable, and valuable.
Innovation isn’t about new tech—it’s about applying tech in ways that transform everyday life.
More AI Examples:
Invention: GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks)
Innovation: DALL·E, MidJourney—AI image generators for creators
Invention: Computer vision algorithms
Innovation: Face ID on phones, medical scan analysis apps
Final Thought:
AI is an invention. ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and similar tools are innovations. They take a complex invention and turn it into a product that solves real jobs and shifts user behavior.
Innovation doesn’t require a new invention—it just needs a smart application of existing tech to create something truly useful.
Jay Thomas
A UX strategist with a decade of experience in building and leading UX research and design teams. He specializes in implementing Jobs to be Done (JTBD) methodologies and designing both complex B2B admin panels and high-traffic consumer-facing features used by millions.
Previously, he led UX development at DomClick, where he scaled the UX research team and built a company-wide design system. He is a guest lecturer at HSE and Bang Bang Education and has studied JTBD at Harvard Business School.
Jay has worked with ONY, QIWI, Sber, CIAN, Megafon, Shell, MTS, Adidas, and other industry leaders, helping them create data-driven, user-centered experiences that drive engagement and business growth.
