Lessons In Product Management

Will Gen AI Consolidate the PM and UX Roles?


Listen Later

Episode Summary:

In this episode, John Fontenot explores a thought-provoking topic: the potential consolidation of Product Management (PM) and User Experience (UX) roles due to advancements in Generative AI. He examines the overlap between these two disciplines, the evolving responsibilities of PMs and UX designers, and how organizations may react to increased efficiency through AI.


Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding the Unique Roles of PM and UX Designer (00:25 - 02:32)

  • PMs focus on business objectives, prioritization, roadmaps, stakeholder management, and go-to-market strategies.

  • UX designers specialize in information architecture, interaction design, prototyping, and usability testing.

  • Despite distinct roles, there is a significant overlap, particularly in customer research, solution ideation, and user flow testing.

2. Will AI Eliminate the Need for Both Roles? (02:35 - 06:50)

  • AI can increase efficiency, but does it replace UX or PM roles entirely?

  • Many organizations underutilize UX designers, treating them primarily as visual designers.

  • AI efficiency gains should ideally allow both roles to focus on higher-level strategic work rather than replacing either.

3. The Risk of Role Consolidation (06:55 - 09:25)

  • Companies with limited UX investment might see AI as an opportunity to eliminate UX roles, shifting responsibilities to PMs.

  • Similarly, strategic UX professionals who engage with stakeholders and business objectives could replace PMs in certain organizations.

  • PMs focused only on execution (e.g., writing JIRA tickets) may find their roles at risk in the future.

4. The Need for Cross-Skilling (09:30 - 13:40)

  • PMs should develop UX skills (e.g., using Figma, understanding usability principles) to become better collaborators and future-proof their careers.

  • UX designers should engage more in strategy, business alignment, and product thinking to solidify their role.

  • Organizations benefit when both disciplines embrace AI efficiencies while maintaining their unique expertise.

5. Future-Proofing Your Career (13:40 - End)

  • PMs and UX designers should leverage AI as a tool rather than fearing replacement.

  • Developing cross-functional skills ensures career longevity and adaptability.

    • A collaborative approach leads to better business outcomes and personal career growth.


    Final Thoughts:

    John concludes by urging PMs and UX designers to embrace AI-driven efficiencies while strengthening their core competencies. By adapting and evolving, professionals in both fields can safeguard their careers and contribute more effectively to their organizations.


    Resources Mentioned:

    • Interaction Design Foundation Courses

    • Path2Product

    Connect with Us:

    • LinkedIn: John Fontenot

    • Twitter: @productfont

    • Instagram: @product.font

    Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review.


  • ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Lessons In Product ManagementBy Path2Product

    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    26 ratings


    More shows like Lessons In Product Management

    View all
    WSJ Tech News Briefing by The Wall Street Journal

    WSJ Tech News Briefing

    1,630 Listeners

    Stuff You Should Know by iHeartPodcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    77,232 Listeners

    Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

    Freakonomics Radio

    32,081 Listeners

    Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

    Hidden Brain

    43,259 Listeners

    The Bill Simmons Podcast by The Ringer

    The Bill Simmons Podcast

    30,033 Listeners

    Lage der Nation - der Politik-Podcast aus Berlin by Philip Banse & Ulf Buermeyer

    Lage der Nation - der Politik-Podcast aus Berlin

    266 Listeners

    Cold Call by HBR Presents / Brian Kenny

    Cold Call

    193 Listeners

    The Daily by The New York Times

    The Daily

    111,501 Listeners

    The Product Podcast by Product School

    The Product Podcast

    166 Listeners

    Darknet Diaries by Jack Rhysider

    Darknet Diaries

    7,843 Listeners

    The Product Experience by Mind the Product

    The Product Experience

    35 Listeners

    Product Thinking by Melissa Perri

    Product Thinking

    143 Listeners

    The Rest Is Politics by Goalhanger

    The Rest Is Politics

    3,403 Listeners

    This Day in AI Podcast by Michael Sharkey, Chris Sharkey

    This Day in AI Podcast

    190 Listeners

    Product Therapy by SVPG

    Product Therapy

    10 Listeners