We're all tasked with building AI products these days as PMs and product builders. But most people are getting it wrong. Today, we're going to break down how to build AI products the right way.
Great read - as a user, I'm OVER having poor AI slapped onto every tool I use. It doesn't help and in a lot of cases, makes things worse. Why must we always be in a rush to be the first, when we all just want it done right??
Bolting new crap onto old crap has the same impact as pouring new wine into old wineskins — everything breaks, nothing ages well, and it all starts to stink.
Finally, someone said it. I've shared a similar perspective while presenting our product strategy and roadmap internally.
Many organizations and product teams are rushing to integrate AI assistants and so-called "AI agents"—which, in reality, often resemble glorified versions of RPA—just to claim they’ve built a GenAI-enabled product.
What’s missing is a thoughtful, problem-first approach. Instead of starting with “How can we add AI?”, we should be asking “What user problem are we solving, and is AI the best way to solve it?” Without this clarity, we risk building features that are more about optics than impact.
Great read - as a user, I'm OVER having poor AI slapped onto every tool I use. It doesn't help and in a lot of cases, makes things worse. Why must we always be in a rush to be the first, when we all just want it done right??
Investors, board members, execs demand it.. but the result is rushed, useless, bolted-on implementations.
Just feels like a repeat of so many bad decisions made in the past, all due to $ 😅
Interesting writeup and insights. Well 👍
Ayy appreciate that!
Great article.
Bolting new crap onto old crap has the same impact as pouring new wine into old wineskins — everything breaks, nothing ages well, and it all starts to stink.
I refer to such monstrosities as Frankensoft.
Indeed. Too bad Frankensoft is absolutely everywhere.
The struggle is real!
Do you think starting with AI sprinklers will ultimate lead companies towards making a better AI cake?
As they realize the sprinkles don't work, ya!
Finally, someone said it. I've shared a similar perspective while presenting our product strategy and roadmap internally.
Many organizations and product teams are rushing to integrate AI assistants and so-called "AI agents"—which, in reality, often resemble glorified versions of RPA—just to claim they’ve built a GenAI-enabled product.
What’s missing is a thoughtful, problem-first approach. Instead of starting with “How can we add AI?”, we should be asking “What user problem are we solving, and is AI the best way to solve it?” Without this clarity, we risk building features that are more about optics than impact.