Lean AI
AI-Powered Tools Grounded in Lean Thinking to Develop People
The Lean Enterprise Institute is exploring practical, human-centered AI tools for lean coaching to accelerate capability development.
How it works
- Coaching, not replacement: LEI is developing tools that deliver capable problem-solving coaching on demand.
- Grounded in lean: The tools are built from LEI materials and decades of practice, not generic AI answers.
- You steer: LEI is learning where the real pull is before building anything at scale.
About the builder, Art Smalley
Author of Four Types of Problems, Understanding A3 Thinking, and Creating Level Pull, and LEI faculty. Art learned about lean manufacturing while living, studying, and working in Japan for 10 years as one of the first foreign nationals to work for Toyota.
He spent the majority of his Toyota career helping the company transfer its production, engineering, and management systems to facilities around the world.
Where would Lean + AI help you first?
We’ll use responses only to understand interest.
© Copyright 2025 Lean Enterprise Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.
Lean Enterprise Institute, the leaper image, and stick figure are registered trademarks of Lean Enterprise Institute, Inc.