Why do we need another AI newsletter?

“Do me a favor, just let me know when AI is going to come for my job.”

Miqdad spent five years at Shopify, first as a senior product lead and then as director of product. The company had always been eager to embrace new technology; as part of his role, he led a team responsible for including artificial intelligence (AI) across Shopify, harnessing its power to improve both the merchant and customer experience.

Now Miqdad works on the product team at OpenAI – a company that was (and still is) making headlines, pushing the boundaries of AI while also making it more accessible. 

Almost overnight, AI went from the realms of science fiction to reality, from a topic reserved for computer scientists to one that everyone was talking about. Just under 116 million people were using AI tools in 2020. That number doubled to over 250 million in 2023, and it’s expected to surpass 700 million by the end of this decade. 

Some people were excited about the potential to improve the world, enhance productivity, and solve previously unsolvable problems. Others were a little more nervous about a future with AI. In March 2023, an open letter called for a six-month pause on training AI systems more powerful than GPT-4. Notable figures like Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak co-signed this letter. To date, it’s collected over 33,000 signatures. 

One of the main concerns was whether AI, with all its capabilities, would take over our jobs. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT could now write everything from content to code in seconds, often to a high level, and were getting better all the time.

So it was no surprise that someone would ask Miqdad to let them know when AI was going to come for their job. 

This statement might have been made as a joke, but it still highlights the changing reality we now find ourselves in. AI is more than just another buzzword. It’s a transformative force, reshaping industries and job roles overnight, even at the highest levels. As product managers, understanding AI’s potential and integrating it effectively into our workflows is about more than just getting a competitive advantage; it’s essential for future-proofing our careers.

As you’re reading this newsletter, chances are you’re interested in how AI can help elevate your work, to make you more efficient and effective as product managers. Likely you’ve seen what AI is capable of and are excited to see how you can use it in your own products, to push what’s possible and create innovative new solutions for your customers. 

It’s also possible you’re a little nervous about what that future looks like and the impact AI will have on your career. That’s completely understandable. Lots of people share those concerns. However, let us reassure you – if you learn how to use AI effectively, it isn’t going to take your product management job; it’s going to improve your ability to do that job.

We can’t tell you what the future holds, but by remembering that AI is a tool and learning how to use that tool correctly you’ll be in the best possible position for whatever comes next. 

The goal of this newsletter is to take you on a comprehensive journey through the landscape of AI in product management. You’ll learn about the fundamentals of AI, its various applications and how it can solve real-world problems.

As the weeks go by, you’ll develop a solid understanding of AI and its applications in product management. You’ll be confidently able to:

• Conceptualize and develop AI-driven products

• Implement AI solutions to enhance user experiences

• Manage the lifecycle of AI products, from ideation to iteration

While other newsletters are great at telling you what’s new in the world of AI, we aim to give you everything you need to develop your AI product management skills in practical, actionable ways. This isn’t about just talking a good talk, but being able to put what you learn into practice. 

As this is the first newsletter, it feels like a good time to get to know each other. First of all, let’s start with who you are. Presumably, you’re already working in product management and you want to develop your AI skills in that area. By subscribing to this newsletter, you aim to transform your understanding and approach, equipping yourself with cutting-edge tools and techniques to excel in the dynamic field of AI.

Product managers at all levels will be able to benefit from this newsletter, including:

• Early-career product managers. Those looking to build a strong foundation in AI and understand its applications in product management

• Mid-career professionals. Individuals aiming to transition into AI product management or looking to leverage AI to solve complex product challenges

• Experienced PMs and executives. Leaders seeking to stay ahead of the curve and drive AI initiatives within their organizations

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced professional looking to enhance your skill set, this newsletter will offer valuable insights and practical knowledge to help you reach your goals

Most importantly, this newsletter doesn’t assume any existing knowledge of AI and its applications. Rather, we’ll show you how to use AI to complement and extend your existing product management skills.

However, this newsletter isn’t for everyone.

If you’re looking for a quick fix or some prompt “hacks”, this isn’t the right newsletter for you. Learning how to get the most out of AI and LLMs takes practice and effort. To that end, this newsletter will include different exercises to help you apply what you’re learning in different ways.

On the other hand, if you’re serious about leveling up your craft and future-proofing your career as an AI product manager, check out our #1 rated AI Product Management certificated course on Maven. You’ll get the very latest insights on how AI is affecting product management, direct access to us for questions and feedback, and an active community of fellow product managers who are making the same journey as you. 

Newsletter subscribers get $250 off with this link. 

You don’t have to dedicate years of your life to learning computer science to apply AI, but you do need to invest some time into learning and applying new concepts. Rather than giving you some kind of super-prompt that’ll solve all your challenges (but will end up obsolete before you get a chance to use it), you’ll learn the principles behind what makes an effective prompt, so that you can go on using those techniques for years to come.

Now that we know a bit more about you, it’s time to introduce ourselves. 

Hi!

My name is Miqdad Jaffer and I’ve spent the last 18 years building products. In that time, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the smartest minds at some of the best tech companies in the world. I’m now working on the product team at OpenAI, as well as serving as an executive in residence at Product Faculty. 

I’m also joined by Moe Ali, the CEO of Product Faculty. Across his career, Moe has worked on products at large big-name companies such as Apple. He worked on the launch of Loblaw Digital, taking it from zero to one billion dollars. He’s also worked on his own bootstrapped startup, Airborne, which was acquired by DemandScience.

In other words, Moe has seen every possible aspect of product management, from startups to tech giants and everything in between. Product Faculty itself has been consistently rated the best product management boot camp and has trained/mentored over 10,000 product managers.

With our different experiences and histories, we bring a wealth of knowledge, practical insights and a proven track record of success to this newsletter, ensuring you have the best possible resources to guide you.

We’ve only just begun this journey into AI product management, but the real value comes from how you engage with what you’re learning. In the next issue, we’ll explore how to get the most out of each newsletter, from staying focused to applying new concepts in practical ways.

We’ll also introduce exercises designed to help you build real-world skills, so you can start making AI a key part of your product management toolkit. Until then, take a moment to reflect on how AI could transform your own work, and get ready for some exciting insights ahead!