Economist Podcasts Boss Class: Innovation: Coming up with new ideas
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May 17, 2025 
Liz Reid, Google's Head of Search, and Salah Alfadji, co-founder of the AI startup Monumental, discuss leadership and innovation in their fields. They explore the future of search engines powered by generative AI, emphasizing user needs and improvements. Salah shares insights on integrating AI-driven robots into construction to address labor shortages. Both guests highlight the importance of collaboration, creativity, and structured processes in fostering innovation within their respective industries.
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AI Bricklaying Robots at Work
- Monumental uses AI-driven bricklaying robots working alongside human masons on building sites.
- Robots perform tasks like laying mortar and placing bricks autonomously, guided by sensors and vision software.
Sustained Effort Enables Breakthroughs
- Breakthrough innovation comes from sustained effort, not sudden eureka moments.
- Alex Kendall emphasizes tackling hardest problems first to reduce future roadblocks.
Kids Redefine Lego Toys' Use
- Lego designer Dan Meehan created a six-wheeled space rover with suspension.
- Kids tested it by flying the rover around and collecting aliens, revealing unexpected play patterns.