Key lessons from Toyota on how prudent, targeted technology that addresses specific business needs can be more effective than throwing AI and Tech against the wall in the name of modernization.

We are bombarded every day with the latest news about the AI revolution, the latest “tech bros” start-up, and the hot new digital solutions to all our problems. The recurring theme is that the tech world has radically transformed and if we do not digitally transform we will go the way of the dinosaurs. Tech and AI, The Toyota Way challenges organizations to move beyond the pressure to “catch up” with AI and focus instead on what effective improvement has always required: a defined business challenge.

Through ten timeless principles Dr. Liker shows that lasting improvement starts with understanding the work, identifying opportunities for improvement, and thoughtfully testing technology where it can deliver the greatest value. Technology should serve the challenge, not be the challenge. At Toyota Tech amplifies lean processes and highly-developed people instead of replacing human thinking with machines. Core cases from Toyota and other companies that have been inspired by Toyota’s lean approach are included throughout to show the efficacy of a more thoughtful and methodical approach to change.

Readers will learn how to:

• Consider a range of total value-stream objectives, instead of focusing only on short-term, cost-oriented technology objectives

• Develop technologies that are fine tuned to support your people and processes

• Train people through deliberate practice to think scientifically and objectively to test, improve and get the most out technologies

• Develop in-house capabilities to create and modify technology in order to avoid overdependence on vendors

Tech and AI, The Toyota Way shows business leaders and executives how to harness patience, long-term thinking, and careful planning to achieve strategic goals through the perfect combination of breakthrough and routine technologies.

About the Author

JEFFREY K. LIKER is University of Michigan Professor Emeritus of Industrial and Operations Engineering and president of Liker Lean Advisors, LLC. He is the bestselling author of The Toyota Way, published in 26 languages with over 1 million copies sold. His articles and books have won twelve Shingo Prizes for Research Excellence. He was inducted into the Association of Manufacturing Excellence Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Shingo Academy in 2016.