AI toothbrush anyone? Yes this is real, but I don’t want to talk about AI. I want to talk about technology having it’s place. Not everything is best solved by technology.


I’m a hardcore techie, but when it comes to personal hygiene, I couldn’t be more lo-fi. After years of trial and error, I’ve settled on a wooden toothbrush, basic Colgate toothpaste, and the same cheap Dove soap for both washing and shaving (with a basic razor and shaving brush).


A ~£100 “AI-powered” toothbrush solves no problems for me – or anyone, for that matter.


It’s why I challenge early stage startups if they really need to build something yet. It’s why I’m an advocate for practices like Value Stream Mapping and Service Design, and how often the desired outcome is best solved *without* needing to chuck technology at the problem.


It’s why I’m obsessed with process optimisation and systems thinking.


It’s why I loved the recent episode of “The Digital Human” on the potential for AI in the NHS (BBC Radio 4, will share link in comments), where the the eminently sensible Jessica Rose Morley, PhD pointed out there’s little point in getting carried away when, in reality, it’s still common for three wards to share one outdated PC on wheels, and the data is in such a mess.


Technology is expensive, it comes at a cost. Only when you’ve identified the user need and/or optimised existing processes is it worth investing in.