The Intelligence from The Economist Boss Class: Innovation: Coming up with new ideas
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May 17, 2025 
Liz Reid, Head of Search at Google, is at the forefront of integrating generative AI into one of the world's most essential tools. She discusses the creative processes at tech and design companies, drawing parallels between innovation in the toy industry and the auto sector. Liz emphasizes that true innovation requires more than just creativity; it demands structured collaboration and user feedback. She also touches on the challenges of balancing rapid tech advancements with user experience, illustrating how learning from the past is crucial to future developments.
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Robotic Bricklaying in Action
- Monumental's AI-driven robots collaborate to lay bricks autonomously alongside human masons, each robot handling a specific task.
- They mimic human mason techniques, adapting with sensors and computer vision to place bricks with precision and teamwork.
Avoid Fake Innovation Traps
- Real innovation is not about gimmicks like ping pong tables or colorful post-its.
- Focus on tangible progress and practical effort, not superficial aesthetics.
Innovation Requires Persistent Effort
- Breakthroughs rarely come from sudden "Eureka" moments but require years of sustained effort.
- Complex problems like self-driving cars need AI and iterative testing, not just rule-based approaches.