Beyond AI: Curiosity as a Competitive Advantage

What is the real superpower for the second half of this decade? Most people would say artificial intelligence. I believe something even more powerful will set us apart: curiosity. 

The first half of the 2020s has been an incredible ride. We have navigated challenges and seized opportunities that few of us could have imagined in 2018 or 2019. The next five years will be just as demanding and just as full of opportunities to shape our industry in meaningful ways. For example, AI is transforming everything around us. It is a powerful force that is disrupting business, society, and the way we work. It is exciting – and a little intimidating. But AI alone is not the superpower that will carry us forward. Curiosity is. 

Curiosity fuels learning. It pushes us to ask better questions, imagine new solutions, and rethink how we work. It is the mindset that allows us not just to adopt AI, but to leverage it – to use it creatively, responsibly, and in ways that drive real value. 

At Interstates, curiosity will be a key differentiator in the years ahead. It will shape how we approach industrialization, how we rethink project delivery, and how we help clients optimize their operations. It will challenge us to redefine how we use our time, moving us toward eliminating repetitive tasks so our people can focus on high-value work that truly moves the needle. 

AI will not make this happen on its own. It starts with curiosity, along with a hunger to learn, a desire to grow, and an openness to imagine what is possible. For our clients, that curiosity helps us uncover new efficiencies, anticipate challenges before they surface, and bring forward ideas that make a measurable impact on operations. 

Curiosity is not just a mindset for our teams. It is a commitment to continually finding better ways to serve you by improving reliability, elevating performance, and helping you navigate an increasingly complex world with confidence.