Lessons From the Electric Motor

Early factories, powered by steam, had a single large central steam engine that supplied power to the various workstations via complicated gears, pulleys, and crankshafts. The invention and introduction of electric motors did not change that first. It took a while for engineers to note that, with electricity, it is much more convenient and efficient to provide each workstation with its own small electric motor.

Revolutionary new technology does not reach its maximum potential if we apply it only superficially. I have written before that slapping AI onto a dysfunctional or messy process will not save you. Yet even slapping AI at a currently optimal process will not yield the best results. After all, the steam-powered factory with its pulleys and shafts was making optimal use of the steam engine. Instead—and that can be scary—a complete rethink is required. The famous "step back" to ask yourself what the business process is trying to achieve in the first place, and then putting the pieces back together, now with additional tools in your toolbox.

By all means, start simple by adding a sprinkling of AI assistance into the existing process. But never stop questioning if you can't go further.