Let Researchers Be Researchers: Why Fundamental R&D Is The Real Engine Behind Innovation

Forbes

4 hours ago

Sudhir Chaturvedi Chief Growth officer, NTT DATA, Inc. and CEO, NTT DATA North America.
I had a fascinating conversation recently with someone from the pharmaceutical industry. We talked about the rise of GLP-1 medications that are now widely known for their impact on weight loss and diabetes management. What struck me was their origin story. These drugs exist because someone studied the Gila monster, a lizard that eats only a few times a year. In its saliva, scientists discovered a glycogen-like peptide that regulates appetite. The researchers weren't trying to develop a blockbuster drug. They were simply curious. They studied the lizard because it was fascinating.
To me, that's the perfect example of why fundamental research matters.
Too often, organizations see research as something that must deliver immediate commercial value. They ask, 'What's the business case?' but overlook how true innovation happens. It begins with curiosity, observation and exploration, often in areas that seem unrelated to business altogether.
The Case For Curiosity-Led Research And Development
I've long believed that the best way to support innovation is to let researchers be researchers. Give them the space, time and resources to explore the unknown, without immediate pressure to produce a monetizable output. If they find something valuable? Fantastic. If not? That's okay, too.
At NTT, we spend over $3.6 billion annually on research and development. Not every dollar has a commercial justification. We intentionally fund what I call 'research for research's sake'—the kind of open-ended, foundational inquiry that doesn't come with a business case upfront. Because the reality is this: one in a hundred moonshots is often all it takes to generate massive returns, not just in terms of profit, but in human progress.
The Power Of Fundamental Breakthroughs
I've seen firsthand how this approach can lead to powerful outcomes. For instance, silicon has been the foundation of computing for decades, but it's incredibly power hungry. Through fundamental research, we've found that aluminum nitride could be a viable alternative. It's up to 20 times less power-intensive. Will it work at scale? We don't know yet. But we must explore that possibility.
Another breakthrough we've been working on is our photonics network. Traditional fiber optic networks rely on electron movement, which requires significant energy and physical infrastructure. Our photonics platform uses light instead of electrons to increase the speed and efficiency of transmitted data. We've already deployed this in our data centers in Mumbai. That wouldn't have happened if we hadn't invested in research without a predefined outcome.
Innovation Begins With Freedom
When we allow researchers to operate independently, without the constant shadow of commercial expectations, we foster more creativity, collaboration and ultimately, better innovation. The world of research thrives on openness. When researchers are free from constraints, they're more likely to share, collaborate and build on one another's work. That accelerates discovery for everyone.
It's also why I believe in making certain intellectual property widely accessible. I'm not suggesting we eliminate IP protections, but in many cases, overly restrictive ownership slows down the very progress we aim to foster. The more widely the research can be shared, the faster we all benefit.
Bridging The Gap Between Discovery And Impact
Of course, research alone isn't enough. At some point, we must take promising ideas and translate them into real-world impact. That's where commercial teams come in, but only after the researchers have time to explore.
As leaders, we need to make time to understand the research that is happening around us. Attend conferences, talk to scientists, visit labs and engage directly with the people pushing boundaries. I recently saw a project on space data centers—putting compute power closer to satellites to eliminate latency. I wouldn't have understood its potential if I hadn't seen it up close.
Once you find an idea with promise, assemble a commercialization team, give them funding, and create a long-term vision. Then prototype, test and iterate. And yes, be ready to walk away if it doesn't work. Failure is part of the process. Not every concept will make it to market, and that's okay. What matters is that we tried, learned and gave the idea a real chance.
AI As A Catalyst For Research
We're seeing the same dynamic play out in the world of AI. Today's generative AI models owe their existence to decades of foundational research, much of it dating back to the 1950s and '60s. The now-famous paper Attention Is All You Need, written by Google research fellows, revolutionized the field. That one article accelerated the development of large language models, including ChatGPT.
AI is transforming how research happens. It can analyze vast datasets, generate synthetic data and even write code. In pharmaceutical R&D, what once took years can now take weeks. It helps researchers move faster, test ideas sooner, and collaborate more easily across borders. The more we embed AI into research workflows, the faster and more affordable discovery becomes.
And when those breakthroughs come? We shouldn't take the profits and bank them. We should reinvest them in more research. That's the virtuous cycle we need.
A Call To Action For Business Leaders
If you're a leader in your organization, here are some actions you can take:
• Budget for research as a long-term investment, not a short-term profit center.
• Don't burden researchers with commercial targets. Fund them, then step back.
• Encourage wide collaboration and resist overprotecting IP.
• Spend time with researchers. Understand the cutting edge.
• Be willing to experiment and to fail. If a project fails, be willing to learn from it and move forward.
• Build the bridge to commercialization with the right team, resources and patience.
Innovation Starts With Wonder
When I look at the technologies we use every day, whether it's high-speed networks, AI assistants or life-saving medicines, I often ask myself: what piece of research made this possible?
In almost every case, the answer lies in a curious mind, years or sometimes decades before the innovation ever reached us. That's why I'm so passionate about fundamental R&D. Because someone took the time, and someone funded the effort, we all benefit now.
The breakthroughs of tomorrow begin with curiosity today. Let's keep making space for that wonder.
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