Long before the present modus operandi of “betting the farm” on Artificial “Intelligence,” the technology industry has been killing off innovation by much simpler, and easier to understand, methods.
Wealth
Drop a huge amount of cash on an innovative employee. Give them enough to retire early and live comfortably for the rest of their years. They innovate no more.
Poverty
Lay off an innovative employee. Tell them they are no longer needed: The latest technology maintains itself! They may innovate for someone else in the future. But never again for you.
Efficiency
Replace an innovative employee with a cheaper alternative, such as underpaid offshore contributors or AI. Again, they may innovate for someone else in the future. But never again for you.
Infrastructure
Choke off the creativity of innovative employees by placing artificial hurdles in their career paths. Artificial metrics like “best practices” or “core competencies” stop employees from taking risks. Follow those up with “brand loyalty” and “eating our own dog food” to make sure all of their communications are on-brand. Pair that with “drinking the Kool-aid” and they will innovate no more.
Safety
Reward employees who play it safe and break nothing. Reprimand employees who take risks and break things. Repeat this pattern, and watch your formerly innovative technology company become irrelevant.
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