Comment by rglover

> All the AI hype aside, I wonder if there is a way to avoid becoming one of these faceless corporations where customers are just numbers.

Limit scale. Enjoy your craft. Become immune to hype and "what's popular," instead focusing on "what otherwise inaccessible experience can we make possible for our customers?"

When you let the money guys take the wheel (not the "passionate nerd" types), it inevitably (and I would argue necessarily to keep the lights on for such a big org) results in a shift to spreadsheet brain.

If you haven't seen it, watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi and see if that way of life resonates. Also check out his interview with René Redzepi from Noma. Lots of great insight into how focusing on your craft implicitly creates the opportunity for creating and delivering great things to others.