To AI or Not To AI?
Product leaders around the globe wonder how and why to harness the power of AI and its trends in their products. This article aims to challenge these thoughts and question when and how to do so.
Lately, I get asked a lot about using AI as a tool in products. Product leaders around the world wonder how to ride the AI trends, as well as where to use this technology.
As with every technology, my first take is that it’s a solution and does not stand alone. What do I mean? Business goals drive your product, and I always choose fast and cheap solutions first. If we can’t get the value we seek and we can’t move the business needle enough — now it’s a good time to move into complex technology like AI.
Remember, the goal is not to use AI for the sake of using AI, but to use it as a tool to solve specific problems and improve your product. Therefore, start with the most straightforward solutions to move the business needle.
Having said that — let’s say your business goal is to harness the trends of AI into your product. Before diving deep into this question, I would start to acknowledge myself with the capabilities. There are many resources out there. I recommend beginning with some basics on Linkedin Courses (cultivate AI-first mindset), going all the way into classics to really deep-dive and understand what it is all about, like Coursera’s courses of Andrew NG.
Once you have a solid understanding of AI, it’s time to identify where it can add the most value to your product. This could be anything from automating repetitive tasks to providing personalized experiences to your users. The key is to focus on areas where AI can significantly improve existing solutions.
Next, it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest AI trends. AI is a rapidly evolving field, and what’s cutting-edge today might be outdated tomorrow. Attend AI conferences, follow AI thought leaders on social media, and subscribe to AI newsletters to stay ahead of the curve.
Finally, integrating AI into your product is not a one-time process. It’s a journey that involves continuous learning, experimentation, and iteration. Be prepared to adapt your strategies as new AI technologies and trends emerge.
Will AI change the way we lead and build products? I believe so. Cultivating an AI-first mindset is also crucial (but be aware of using simple tools first!). As product leaders, we must embrace AI as a tool for innovation and competitive advantage while understanding its limitations and potential risks.
I will conclude by referring to my article about how product leaders should think about AI strategically.
