These big companies showed their innovative side in 2026

Large companies have scale, but scale can also make change difficult. This year’s enterprise-size honorees show what happens when established organizations use new technology to rethink core operations, from hiring tens of thousands of workers to managing sprawling retail networks. Their innovations are notable not just for what they do but for how widely they can be deployed. Albertsons CompaniesFor putting AI to work across the grocery businessRather than deploy AI through isolated pilots, grocery giant Albertsons Companies has built a unified data and AI platform that connects operations across its stores, supply chain, corporate functions, and digital channels. The system is being used to improve demand forecasting and inventory management, optimize promotions and product assortments, and power more personalized digital shopping tools. Albertsons has also introduced AI tools for employees to reduce repetitive work and to help associates make faster decisions. The company says these efforts are contributing to a multibillion-dollar productivity target. Chipotle Mexican GrillFor using AI to speed up restaurant hiringChipotle partnered with Paradox to build Ava Cado, an AI-powere…