No matter the technology approach, it is ultimately the impact that matters. Innovation today isn’t about chasing the next big idea or implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a vacuum; the success comes from implementing AI that has impact, and that truly makes a difference. You must ask whether this technology will improve people’s lives, enable better decisions, and create lasting value? Taking a disciplined approach to understanding how to implement new ideas, and what value each iteration brings, is what will deliver the most impact.
Model performance isn’t innovation nor is it a differentiator - its delivery discipline. This is according to Carla de Abreu, senior portfolio manager at Dariel, who says that real innovation happens after the prototype, in the messy, disciplined work of deploying, governing, and evolving AI responsibly across real business environments.
“We’ve reached a point where building models is straightforward. The frameworks are mature, the tooling is abundant, and the barrier to entry keeps dropping. What’s genuinely difficult, and what truly differentiates organisations, is the ability to move from promising experiments to dependable, production-grade systems. That means thinking about monitoring, data quality, versioning, and traceability, long before a model ever reaches production,” explains de Abreu.
She says that impact doesn’t come from what impresses in a demo: “It comes from what survives contact with reality. The value of AI isn’t in clever code. It’s in reliability, integration, and the discipline to keep systems useful over time. In that sense, execution has become the new frontier of innovation - the ability to deliver consistently, learn continuously, and improve quietly, after the spotlight moves on.”
De Abreu says that a mindset shift is also needed for the better-known Minimum Viable Product (MVP), adding that it should be realigned to Maximum Viable Product (MVP). When building an MVP, it’s not about cutting corners, reducing scope, or delivering sub-standard work. It’s about focus and intent, and thus an MVP should be about delivering the most viable, not just the minimum. It’s about going to market with something that returns the most value quickly, but purposefully. Moving fast only matters if you’re moving in the right direction, have discipline, good governance, and a delivery mindset.
“This mindset is not always a given and is built through trust and discipline. It’s knowing that you need to build enough structure to stay predictable and be agile to keep the momentum going. What all of this tells you is that no matter how good the AI tool is, without human interaction and leadership, it is purely an under-utilised tool going nowhere fast,” stresses de Abrue.
She says that AI is not about disruption, but is a tool that’s now woven into how we work, think, and build. The value lies in human thoughts, intent, and ethical discipline that give AI engines direction and defines the outcomes. AI must be used intelligently, almost as a partner that amplifies delivery capability, not replaces it.
The way forward
But to achieve disciplined execution, de Abreu says you don’t need frameworks and checklists, it is all in the culture. “Businesses need to be creating environments where teams take ownership, are empowered to deliver with excellence, and care deeply about the outcomes they create. At Dariel, our teams are deliberate about execution because they understand the weight of trust that comes with it,” says de Abreu. “The structure, ironically, gives us freedom, while the governance gives us space to be creative. That balance between discipline and imagination is what drives our success.”
While AI-led transformation will keep evolving, one truth remains: execution will always be the differentiator. The companies that thrive won’t be the ones chasing the next big idea - they’ll be the ones mastering the art of making ideas real. “Innovation isn’t just about what you imagine. It’s about what you deliver, day after day. The future belongs to the teams who can move fast, but with intent,” says de Abreu. Ends.
About Dariel
Founded in 2001 on the principle of delivering solutions right, the first time, Dariel bridges the gap between human ingenuity and technology. Our strong client partnerships reflect a commitment to excellence and our consultative approach to software engineering makes us a trusted partner for innovative and sustainable tech solutions. Proudly independent, Dariel is part of the JSE-listed Capital Appreciation Group. https://www.dariel.co.za/