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There has been a lot of talk around how AI can disrupt product management in the near future. How true is it though?
Sam Kawsarani and I discuss the impact of AI in Product Management — right now, and in the future.
Sam has over 15 years of PM experience. He is currently the VP of Product at Paramount Commerce. Previously, he was the VP of product at Railz. He is also the author of The Product Trench Newsletter and a mentor to aspiring product managers.
In today’s episode, we cover:
The Actual Impact of AI on Product Management | 02:53
How Sam Uses AI day-to-day in his Product Leadership | 08:58
The Pros and Cons of AI in Product Management | 18:21
Implementing AI in Products | 38:00
Hot Takes: Feature PMs aren’t bad, POs shouldn’t exist | 52:15
Tips and Advice for Aspiring Product Managers | 01:26:20
Here are the Key Takeaways
Here were my favorite takeaways from our chat:
1. How to Use AI as a PM
AI lacks human creativity and business context that only PMs can provide. As a result:
You can’t trust AI to start your docs yet.
And you can’t trust it for the final output. You must heavily edit the final AI output.
It’s best for going from 20% to 80% complete quickly.
Besides writing, it’s very useful for things like meeting notes, summarizing your own notes and ‘talking with’ long docs (since small context windows are mostly a thing of the past).
2. AI Hasn’t Found its Final Form
Chat interfaces likely aren’t the end-state of AI. And neither all the rushed features every software you’ve ever used has released in the last two years.
What’s clear is its potential. What’s up for debate is the UX.
Great PMs reading this will find that final form.
3. Feature PMs aren’t bad
The internet seems to label feature PM work “bullshit management,” but it’s not really that way.
Of course, a feature factory isn’t a healthy way to run a business. But when you’re in wartime, with 3-6 months runway, you need to have a good idea of where the business is going and what’s happening next quarter.
Scenarios like that - and others that are just due to tech industry circumstances - can change reality for some time. And IC PMs shouldn’t be too idealistic in those circumstances.
These were just a few of my favorites. Check out the episode for all the details.
Referenced
Sam’s Newsletter: The Product Trench
Sam’s favorite content currently:
Reading This Newsletter Pays
It’s another growth-mode giveaway. I will send $100 to one person who replies to this e-mail with screenshots of being subscribed to the main channel on YouTube, being subscribed to the new clips channel on YouTube, having rated on Apple or Spotify, liked the episode on YouTube, and commented on YouTube.
Road to 100K subscribers - here we go!
Where to find Sam
If you want to advertise in the podcast or newsletter, email productgrowthppp at gmail dot com.
Up Next
We have some great podcasts coming from Mirela Mus, Maja Voje, and Jaryd Hermann. I’m so excited to share them with all of you.
In the newsletter, check out this week’s piece if you haven’t yet: What's Old is New Again: How to Use Referrals to Drive Growth in 2024
And look out for these pieces up next:
Ultimate Guide to Retention
How Lempire Grows
Market Deep Dive on Indian-Origin Tech Companies
I think you’re going to love them,
Aakash
Product Management in the Era of AI | Lessons from 15+ Years of PM Experience | Sam Kawsarani, VP PM at Paramount Commerce