Digitalization is revolutionizing the way business is conducted within industrial value chains through the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, intensive data exchange and predictive analytics. However, technological application on its own is not enough; profiting from digitalization requires business model innovation such as making the transition to advanced service business models. Yet, many research gaps remain in analyzing how industrial companies can leverage digitalization to transform their business models to achieve sustainability benefits. Specifically, challenges related to value creation, value delivery, and value capture components of business model innovation need further understanding as well as how alignment of these components drive sustainable industry initiatives. Thus, this special issue editorial attempts to take stock of the emerging research field through a literature review and providing a synthesis of special issue contributions. In doing so, we contribute by developing a framework that communicates and sets the direction for future research by linking digitalization, business model innovation, and sustainability in industrial settings.

Technical advancements within the subject of artificial intelligence (AI) leads towards development of human-like machines, able to operate autonomously and mimic our cognitive behavior. The progress and interest among managers, academics and the public has created a hype among many industries, and many firms are investing heavily to capitalize on the technology through business model innovation. However, managers are left with little support from academia when aiming to implement AI in their firm’s operations, which leads to an increased risk of project failure and unwanted results. This paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of AI and how it can be used as a catalyst for business model innovation. Due to the increasing range and variety of the available published material, a literature review has been performed to gather current knowledge within AI business model innovation. The results are presented in a roadmap to guide the implementation of AI to firm’s operations. Our presented findings suggest four steps when implementing AI: (1) understand AI and organizational capabilities needed for digital transformation; (2) understand current BM, potential for BMI, and business ecosystem role; (3) develop and refine capabilities needed to implement AI; and (4) reach organizational acceptance and develop internal competencies.

The rise of AI technologies is generating novel opportunities for companies to create additional value for their customers by applying a proactive approach, managing uncertainty, and thus improving cost efficiency and increasing revenue. However, AI technology capabilities are not enough—companies need to understand how the technology can be commercialized through appropriate AI business model innovation. When emerging technologies are introduced, business-model concepts often need to be significantly altered. This is necessary to fully capitalize on disruptive technologies because it is just as important to innovate the business model as it is to build advanced technology solutions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explain how AI providers align value-creation and value-capture dimensions in order to develop commercially viable AI business models. To fulfill our stated purpose, this study has adopted an inductive and exploratory single case-study approach centered on a market-leading provider of AI-related services. The findings are consolidated into a process framework that explicitly illustrates the key activities that companies need to perform concerning value creation and value capture for AI business model innovation and commercialization. The framework explains that AI providers need to follow three phases—namely, identifying prerequisites for AI value creation, matching value capture mechanisms, and developing AI business model offer. We also find that AI providers need to test and develop multiple AI business models and operate them simultaneously to ensure commercial success.