3 reasons why AI will NEVER replace Product Managers

 As we start to see more and more AI solutions in the marketplace, you might be wondering about the future role of product managers. I've talked to a number of PMs who are very nervous about what this influx of AI means in terms of their jobs.

Well, to me, PMs are more necessary than ever and people who talk about PMs being replaced don't really understand product management.

Today, I'm going to give you three reasons. Why PMs are going to be critical as we move into the next stage of artificial intelligence in software development.

Human Centered Design

The first is human centered design.  PMs have a unique ability to understand and have empathy for what other humans would want. AI systems don't have the ability to have that empathy about what humans, who are the ones who will be using the software,

really want and need.

We're not building software for machines. We're building software for humans. And product managers are uniquely positioned for this.

Strategic Thinking

Secondly is strategic thinking.  Again, AI has the ability to look at what has happened so far to date and to summarize that.

AI is not great at thinking strategically about what a plan or roadmap looks like for the future. So PMs are going to have a critical role to play in where all of this is going

Ethical Decision Making

Lastly, is ethical decision making.  AI doesn't have the ability to understand whether the software or the solutions that it's coming up with is ethical.

PMs are going to need to be in place to understand whether the software that's getting built is overall benefiting society as a whole.  

So what can you do today?

You do need to understand AI. It's going to be critical to understand how AI can support and enhance what you're doing as a product manager.

So take some time today and over the next week. There's a lot of free courses available out there. Start building your expertise around AI. It is something that can greatly enhance your job, but it's not going to be something that replaces your job.

 PMs provide strategic thinking. They provide human centered design. And they provide ethical decision making. Things that AI will never be able to replace.