The Role of Imitation in Tech Innovation: A Double-Edged Sword

Master of imitation: Copying has been a foundational element of innovation in the most successful tech ecosystems

The article delves into how many successful tech companies, such as Apple, Facebook, and firms from China, build on existing ideas rather than inventing anew. It focuses on Ola Cabs and Bhavish Aggarwal, demonstrating how they have innovated in the Indian market, particularly through developments in EV and AI technologies.When I celebrated Ola Cabs' Bhavish Aggarwal's recent IPO achievements on social media, I was met with a wave of comments accusing him of copying ideas to build his company. It's a familiar criticism. But it overlooks a crucial aspect of how innovation actually works globally. As Steve Jobs once admitted, 'Picasso had a saying, 'Good artists copy, great artists steal,' and we have always been shameless about stealing great ideas.' Jobs took pride in the idea that innovation often involves building on what others have done. The fact is, the line between innovation and imitation is often blurred, and copying has been a foundational element in the growth of some of the most successful tech ecosystems, including China's. Silicon Valley, the cradle of modern technological innovation, is rife with examples of companies that didn't necessarily invent something entirely new, but instead improved upon existing ideas. Facebook, now Meta, is a prime example of this. Practically every product it has released - whether Stories, Reels or Messenger - has been an iteration, or direct copy, of existing products. Much like how Jobs 'stole' from Xerox PARC to build Apple's Macintosh. Since then, every Apple product, from iPhone to iPad, has drawn on existing technologies and concepts, refining them into something revolutionary. The same principle applies to China, which has been criticised for years for its tendency to 'copy and steal' technologies from the West. Yet, this very strategy laid the groundwork for the rise of its tech giants. Companies like Alibaba, Tencent and Xiaomi began by emulating Western models. But they soon adapted these ideas to suit their local markets, innovating in ways that their Western counterparts hadn't. Take Tencent's WeChat. Originally inspired by WhatsApp and other messaging platforms, WeChat quickly evolved into something far more comprehensive and transformative. It became a 'super app', offering services that span from messaging and social networking to payments, ecommerce and even government services. Today, WeChat is not just a Chinese success story but a model of innovation that other companies worldwide like Meta, X, Tata Group and Grab are looking to replicate. This strategy is particularly effective in regions where markets and consumer behaviours differ significantly from those in the West. By copying a proven concept and then localising and expanding upon it, companies can create products that are more finely tuned to their specific markets. This process often leads to innovations that go beyond the original idea, offering features and services that the 'originators' never considered. In Aggarwal's case, yes, his company may have started with ideas that were already in the market, like ride-hailing services. But to reduce his achievements to mere imitation is to ignore the tremendous innovation and adaptation that followed. Building a successful company is never just about having a novel idea. It's also about execution, understanding the market and continuously innovating to stay ahead. For instance, Ola didn't just mimic Uber's business model - it also innovated far beyond, especially in its understanding of the Indian market. Its unique features, such as ride scheduling in areas with unreliable internet, and integrating autorickshaws, were innovations that Uber later had to learn from - and 'shamelessly' copy. Moreover, let's not forget that every great company, at some point, stands on the shoulders of giants. Microsoft didn't invent the PC, but it revolutionised software. Amazon didn't invent ecommerce, but it transformed how we shop online. This Independence Day, Aggarwal made a significant announcement, revealing the revolutionary technologies that his company is developing. These innovations range from cutting-edge EVs to advanced battery systems, and an entire AI stack. One of the highlights was the introduction of Ola Krutrim's AI chips, which are set to be launched by 2026, with a more advanced version by 2028. These chips, including the 'Bodhi' family for AI workloads, aim to challenge Nvidia in AI chip performance. Moreover, the company is rapidly expanding Krutrim Cloud, which now supports over 50 new AI services, making it a robust platform for Indian developers - and eliminating the need to depend on Google and Microsoft. This announcement highlights how imitators often move well beyond any initial inspirations. Ola is now seeking to build an entire ecosystem of technologies that have the potential to revolutionise industries. EVs being developed are not just about going green. They also aim to redefine the entire automotive experience. The battery technology and AI stack represent a commitment to innovation that is set to place Ola at the forefront of global tech leadership. So, the next time someone accuses a successful entrepreneur of copying, remember - it's not where you start that matters, it's where you end up.

Masters of imitation: Copying has been a foundational element of innovation in the most successful tech ecosystems - The Economic Times

When I celebrated Ola Cabs' Bhavish Aggarwal's recent IPO achievements on social media, I was met with a wave of comments accusing him of copying ideas to build his company. It's a familiar criticism. But it overlooks a crucial aspect of how innovation actually works globally. As Steve Jobs once admitted, 'Picasso had a saying, 'Good artists copy, great artists steal,' and we have always been shameless about stealing great ideas.' Jobs took pride in the idea that innovation often involves building on what others have done. The fact is, the line between innovation and imitation is often blurred, and copying has been a foundational element in the growth of some of the most successful tech ecosystems, including China's. Silicon Valley, the cradle of modern technological innovation, is rife with examples of companies that didn't necessarily invent something entirely new, but instead improved upon existing ideas. Facebook, now Meta, is a prime example of this. Practically every product it has released - whether Stories, Reels or Messenger - has been an iteration, or direct copy, of existing products. Much like how Jobs 'stole' from Xerox PARC to build Apple's Macintosh. Since then, every Apple product, from iPhone to iPad, has drawn on existing technologies and concepts, refining them into something revolutionary. The same principle applies to China, which has been criticised for years for its tendency to 'copy and steal' technologies from the West. Yet, this very strategy laid the groundwork for the rise of its tech giants. Companies like Alibaba, Tencent and Xiaomi began by emulating Western models. But they soon adapted these ideas to suit their local markets, innovating in ways that their Western counterparts hadn't. Take Tencent's WeChat. Originally inspired by WhatsApp and other messaging platforms, WeChat quickly evolved into something far more comprehensive and transformative. It became a 'super app', offering services that span from messaging and social networking to payments, ecommerce and even government services. Today, WeChat is not just a Chinese success story but a model of innovation that other companies worldwide like Meta, X, Tata Group and Grab are looking to replicate. This strategy is particularly effective in regions where markets and consumer behaviours differ significantly from those in the West. By copying a proven concept and then localising and expanding upon it, companies can create products that are more finely tuned to their specific markets. This process often leads to innovations that go beyond the original idea, offering features and services that the 'originators' never considered. In Aggarwal's case, yes, his company may have started with ideas that were already in the market, like ride-hailing services. But to reduce his achievements to mere imitation is to ignore the tremendous innovation and adaptation that followed. Building a successful company is never just about having a novel idea. It's also about execution, understanding the market and continuously innovating to stay ahead. For instance, Ola didn't just mimic Uber's business model - it also innovated far beyond, especially in its understanding of the Indian market. Its unique features, such as ride scheduling in areas with unreliable internet, and integrating autorickshaws, were innovations that Uber later had to learn from - and 'shamelessly' copy. Moreover, let's not forget that every great company, at some point, stands on the shoulders of giants. Microsoft didn't invent the PC, but it revolutionised software. Amazon didn't invent ecommerce, but it transformed how we shop online. This Independence Day, Aggarwal made a significant announcement, revealing the revolutionary technologies that his company is developing. These innovations range from cutting-edge EVs to advanced battery systems, and an entire AI stack. One of the highlights was the introduction of Ola Krutrim's AI chips, which are set to be launched by 2026, with a more advanced version by 2028. These chips, including the 'Bodhi' family for AI workloads, aim to challenge Nvidia in AI chip performance. Moreover, the company is rapidly expanding Krutrim Cloud, which now supports over 50 new AI services, making it a robust platform for Indian developers - and eliminating the need to depend on Google and Microsoft. This announcement highlights how imitators often move well beyond any initial inspirations. Ola is now seeking to build an entire ecosystem of technologies that have the potential to revolutionise industries. EVs being developed are not just about going green. They also aim to redefine the entire automotive experience. The battery technology and AI stack represent a commitment to innovation that is set to place Ola at the forefront of global tech leadership. So, the next time someone accuses a successful entrepreneur of copying, remember - it's not where you start that matters, it's where you end up.