What happens when you stop asking “How can we add AI?” and start asking “What are we actually building?”

In this episode of Intelligent Products, I sit down with Amin Rabinia, founder and CEO of Glissando AI, a systems thinker who blends philosophy, AI architecture, and startup experience into one sharp lens.

Together, we unpack one of the biggest questions facing product teams today:

Can SaaS truly support intelligence or do we need a whole new mindset?

This conversation isn’t just about features or tech. It’s about function, purpose, and the soul of the products we build.

What We Talked About

* Why AI isn't just a plugin or a chatbot and what happens when it is

* The deeper difference between SaaS and AI-native systems

* A framework for building intelligent workflows instead of gimmicky tools

* How startups vs. enterprises should approach AI adoption

* Why most AI projects fail and how to avoid the same trap

* The three stages of AI strategy: Innovation, Automation, Optimization

We also get personal about product philosophy, how Amin pivoted from doors to data, and the real cost of ignoring function in pursuit of flash.

What You’ll Learn (Insider Takeaways)

* How to define the function of your product before choosing features

* A simple mental model to spot when AI is adding value or just noise

* What product teams should stop doing immediately in the AI era

* The role of identity and business DNA in crafting an AI strategy that sticks

* Why bigger companies often move slower with AI and when that’s smart

We’re not just building products anymore.We’re building systems that learn, evolve, and influence decisions.

AI is powerful. But only when it's tied to a real purpose.Don’t build for hype. Build for outcomes.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.intelligentproducts.io