Product Managers.. Step Away from the AI Panic Button
The Sky is falling! AI is here….
Sorry to say this but, as great as AI is, it will not replace product management jobs or the many skills associated with product management. There have been a lot of great thought pieces around the impact of AI on product management. I felt compelled to write something because my social feeds are filled with panicked Product Managers hitting the proverbial alarm bell.
I have all my gray hair from being a product manager in different verticals, and as much as people want to tell themselves that product management is the same at each place…I’m here to tell you a secret (it isn’t).
Product Management is not a one-size-fits-all job description/function. This is due to the vertical the products exist in, SAAS, B2B, B2B2C, B2C, DTC, (enter fun acronym), the many details that product managers have to tackle that don’t show up on stat sheets such as client documents, or thinking about product placement.
Now, product management ‘routine’ tasks can certainly be accelerated with tools such as Gemini, GPT, etc. For instance, getting assistance in writing product requirement documents, understanding competitive positioning, data analysis, or if you work in an Agile company writing and editing Jira tickets. Product managers are required to communicate with customers as much as they can and also understand customers through qualitative signals (reviews, interviews, etc).
But here's the thing: AI can't replace the human element.Might be a no-brainer but…
While AI can crunch numbers and analyze data faster than any human, it can't replicate the core skills that make a product manager truly effective. The sociologist in me is saying don’t forget about empathy and culture! Let's break it down:
Strategic Thinking and Vision: Imagine a captain navigating a ship. AI can analyze weather patterns and ocean currents, but it can't set the course, anticipate unexpected storms, or inspire the crew to reach a new destination. Product managers are those captains, charting the product's course with a vision that goes beyond algorithms.
Empathy and User Understanding: Think of a therapist listening to a patient. AI can analyze speech patterns and identify keywords, but it can't truly understand the underlying emotions, needs, and motivations. Product managers need to connect with users on a human level, to feel their pain points and champion their needs.
Creativity and Innovation: Imagine an artist painting a masterpiece. AI can generate variations of existing styles, but it can't conceive of entirely new forms of expression. Product managers need to think outside the box, to imagine possibilities that haven't been coded into an algorithm.
Collaboration and Communication: Picture a conductor leading an orchestra. AI can analyze each instrument's part, but it can't harmonize the different sections, resolve creative differences, or inspire a moving performance. Product managers are those conductors, bringing together diverse teams and stakeholders to create a harmonious product symphony. This becomes increasingly important if product managers work with teams across time zones.
Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Think of a detective solving a complex case. AI can analyze evidence and identify patterns, but it can't adapt to unexpected twists, interview witnesses with nuanced questions, or piece together a solution when the clues are unclear. Product managers are those detectives, facing ever-changing market dynamics, unexpected user behavior, and technical challenges that require flexible thinking and on-the-spot problem-solving.
AI: The Ultimate Sidekick dare i say product owner ;)
AI can automate tedious tasks, freeing up time for more strategic thinking and user engagement. It can provide valuable data-driven insights, helping product managers make informed decisions. But it will never replace the human element – the intuition, empathy, and creativity that are essential for building truly great products.
The rise of AI presents an incredible opportunity for product managers to level up. By leveraging AI as a powerful tool, product managers can:
Become Super-Efficient: Automate data analysis, reporting, and documentation, freeing up time for higher-value activities like user research and strategy.
Gain Deeper User Insights: Use AI to analyze user feedback, identify patterns, and uncover hidden needs that might be missed by traditional methods.
Focus on the Big Picture: With AI handling the details, product managers can dedicate more energy to strategic thinking, innovation, and long-term vision.
Become Data-Driven Decision Makers: Leverage AI's analytical capabilities to make more informed decisions based on real-time data and predictive modeling.