The AI, automation, and machine learning excellence category recognizes best workplaces for innovators that have thrived through innovative uses of new technologies.

Adobe, San Jose

The company’s Adobe Incubations, launched in 2024, develops and scales new products, such as a multiplayer mood board to enhance the conceptual process.

Alibaba Group, Hangzhou, China

Trade innovations, such as a new B2B AI search engine called Accio, help Alibaba Group move toward its mission to make it easy to do business anywhere.

Architech, Toronto

The cloud software firm held a three-month, company-wide hackathon where employees from different groups created AI-powered solutions to inefficiencies in their processes.

Generate:Biomedicines, Somerville, MA

Using generative AI models to “program” biology, the biotech company’s collaborative team aims to tackle diseases—and parts of viruses—previously considered undruggable.

IBM, Armonk, NY

A longtime leader in computing, IBM has spent the past year advancing its quantum computing technology and Granite, an artificial intelligence model that prioritizes open access and responsibility.

Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ

The 139-year-old company invested $17 billion in R&D last year, which funded its internal incubators and innovation hubs.

Lenovo, Morrisville, NC

Last year, Lenovo invested 3.6% of revenue in R&D, maintaining 18 R&D facilities and four AI innovation centers around the world.

Pella, Pella, IA

The centenary window and door company pushes employees at every level to innovate solutions, for instance, an engineer that made a new quality-control camera to make manufacturing more efficient.

Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati

After more than 185 years of innovation, Procter & Gamble has revolutionized its molecule discovery and product development process with its AI-powered Molecular Discovery Suite (MDS).

RIOS Intelligent Machines, Menlo Park, CA

The first AI platform for industrial engineering, developed by RIOS Intelligent Machines, aims to incorporate perceptive and focused technology solutions to help improve the work experience for engineers.

This story is part of Fast Company’s 2025 Best Workplaces for Innovators Awards. Explore the full list of companies that are key hubs for fostering innovative talent. Read more about the methodology behind the selection process.