Why AI Product Managers Are Best Equipped for an AI-Dominated Future
A rare breed that already masters the future
This is my very first post reaching out to you, my first subscribers, and it took me some time to come up with something appropriate for this inaugural message. Today, I want to share with you my perspective on a future where AI is changing the world, especially focusing on the skill set needed to thrive in that world, and why I believe AI Product Managers already have a big advantage for that future. Listening closely to the rapid development of AI, including its impressive ability to code software—a task long believed to be beyond AI's near-term capabilities—has led me to the following thoughts:If every AI product is ultimately seen as a type of software product, and every software product requires programming skills, then AIs like Devin (the first AI software engineer) will make the development of any type of software, including AI software, more accessible to everyone than ever before. The lack of experts will certainly decrease over time.
There will be a shift in skill sets for the future workforce, and this future isn’t far away. No, I'm not saying there will not be a need for any type of human software developer or data scientist soon. But those will more likely work on the edge of technology than solving ordinary software problems.
What I think is now more important to be skilled at is identifying problems humans have and letting them be solved by and with the help of AI. Identifying those problems that end-users, companies, governments, and humanity as a whole have will be the skill set we should look after.
But this game wouldn’t end there. Identifying the problems worth solving also requires the ability to argue why they are worth solving. Presenting them in a way that other people understand and are afterward willing to invest in requires a good portion of empathy and psychological skills.
From now on, being able to pick up new skills and tech fast is going to be the game changer. AI and tech stuff change pretty quickly, so you've got to be on your toes and ready to learn new things all the time.
Thinking on your feet and being smart with data is another big one. There's so much information out there now, and being able to figure out what's actually useful is a skill in itself. It's not just about having the data but knowing what to do with it.
AI is touching pretty much everything these days, so you'll need to be able to work with all kinds of people, not just tech folks. Getting everyone on the same page, especially when you're working on AI-related projects — which will constitute the majority of future projects — means being good at both talking and listening, but more importantly, listening 😉. Even though it's already important, it seems like no one listens. However, in the future, we're heading towards, this oversight will not be forgiven.
And don't forget about being creative. Sure, AI can do a lot, but coming up with new ideas and cool ways to use AI? That's a human thing. The most exciting stuff happens when people use their imagination to push the boundaries of what AI can do. However, even this very human process can be significantly enhanced by AI.
Lastly, think about the bigger picture. It's not just about making something that works; it's about creating something that's fair, makes sense, and genuinely helps people. This involves evaluating your work by asking, 'Is this the right thing to do?' rather than just 'Is this the right way to do it?' After all, the latter will often be addressed by AI anyway.
So, be ready to learn, be smart with data, work well with others, stay creative, and always consider the impact of what you're doing. These are the skills that matter most in the future.
But while all these skills will become increasingly important for all workforces in the future, there's a rare breed that already masters them: AI Product Managers. They are living in the future today. I strongly believe that, at some point soon, every tech expert will need the abilities of an AI PM to be prepared for a future where AI is crafting solutions for problems identified by humans. If you manage to acquire the skills AI Product Managers need even today, you will be well-prepared for a future that I believe isn’t far off.
And even if the future I’ve described doesn’t unfold as expected, you’ll still be an exceptional AI PM 🙂. There's no other outcome but to win in this scenario.
I'm happy you have joined this newsletter, where it's all about AI Product Management and A World Beyond AI.
JBK 🕊️
P.S.: If you like, leave your thoughts about my thoughts here in the comments. I am really curious about how I did with my very first A World Beyond AI post.😊
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