5 Practical Tips on Building Generative AI Products & Nonobvious Career Insights

Welcome to the latest issue of the Product Management Learning Series - a series of live streaming events and newsletter articles to help you level up your product career! ??

In our 51st episode, our speaker was Amit Fulay , VP of Product for Microsoft Teams and GroupMe. Before that, he directed Facebook's News Feed and led Real-Time Communications at Google, where he played a key role in developing Google Meet, Allo, Duo, and WebRTC. He was also a Product Director at Jambool, a startup later acquired by Google.

If you missed the event, you can watch the full event recording here .?

Below are the main takeaways from the conversation I had with Amit:

Amit Fulay discussed using AI in Microsoft Teams to simplify meetings and urged creative application of AI to solve real-world problems.

Amit pointed out that Teams, a platform where people spend much of their workday, aims to employ AI to make meetings and information management more efficient. For instance, generative AI can automatically extract action items from meetings or summarize data, thus freeing the user from the overload of information. Essentially, the goal is to equip users with actionable insights instead of requiring them to sift through a sea of information.?

Further, Amit shared his philosophy that AI should serve as a tool for creative problem-solving rather than a fascinating model to be studied. He likened the rapid advancements in AI to "new Lego blocks" being introduced, urging product managers to continuously adapt and apply these new capabilities. As an example, he cited the transformational role of GPS chips in smartphones, which evolved from basic routing to disruptive models like Uber. In the same vein, Amit advised focusing on the application of AI capabilities to solve real-world problems, thus driving innovation and efficiency in the future of work.

Leveraging existing data for AI is crucial, and creativity remains an indispensable skill for product managers in the face of technological advancements.

On the topic of suitable use-cases for AI, Amit suggested starting with the data you already possess. Specifically, he emphasized that existing data, especially in specialized fields like healthcare or travel, is a treasure trove of opportunities. This data can be the basis for reimagining how services are rendered, allowing for more intelligent and efficient systems. For example, in travel planning, even though numerous services exist, the process is still cumbersome. AI can sift through reviews, compare prices, and even recommend itineraries, transforming a labor-intensive task into a seamless experience.

Regarding the skills that product managers should hone, Amit firmly believed that creativity remains at the core. He argued that while underlying technologies are evolving at an exponential rate, the essence of creating a compelling product stays the same. Drawing parallels with the gaming industry, he noted that despite advanced graphics chips and rendering engines, the games that succeed are those that are creatively designed. Technological advancements serve as new tools in the toolkit, but they can't replace the need for creative problem-solving and innovative thinking. Thus, as product managers navigate the continually evolving landscape, the ability to apply creativity to leverage new tools effectively will be indispensable for success.

Product managers need basic AI familiarity to innovate effectively, but the real constraint is imagination, not technical expertise.

Amit believed that the evolving landscape of generative AI necessitates a new skill set for product managers. According to him, it's not about becoming an expert in AI but rather gaining a level of familiarity that allows for effective collaboration with specialized AI teams. This is similar to the relationship product managers currently have with data science; you don't need to be a data scientist, but you should be comfortable enough to pull your own data and derive insights.

Amit emphasized that the constraint in product development is not who does the work but rather the imaginative limits of what you think is possible. Product managers should focus on pushing the envelope, constantly reimagining their products and services, and presenting new challenges to their AI teams. By doing so, they can effectively utilize AI tools to transform and innovate their products, all while fostering a better working relationship with cross-disciplinary teams. This forward-thinking approach is what Amit sees as the key to harnessing the full potential of generative AI in product management.

Amit advocated for resilience in nonlinear careers and sees "setbacks" as valuable learning opportunities that can catapult one's career to new heights.

Amit emphasized that careers are not a straightforward journey; they're filled with ups and downs that often lie outside one's control. He particularly underscored the vital role of resilience and adaptability when navigating these challenges. Early in his career, he had to deal with a rapid turnover of managers, creating a chaotic work environment. Despite this, he learned to adapt and highlighted the importance of a resilient mindset to get through such obstacles. For Amit, it's not just about overcoming setbacks but also understanding that you can't control every variable in your career, yet you can control how you respond to them.

On the concept of "Catapult" in career management, Amit shared the belief that what may initially appear as a step back can actually propel you further in the long run. He used his own life as an example, describing how he left a stable job at Microsoft to join a startup. Despite the apparent risks and loss of immediate benefits, this move provided him with a rich learning experience that he considers invaluable for his career growth. He advised individuals to weigh the learning opportunities when considering different roles, even if those roles seem like a step back at first glance. These seemingly lesser opportunities could be the very catalysts that catapult your career to a whole new level.

Career success is a dynamic, individualized concept that evolves with life stages. Be ambitious in the long-term, but be patient and persistent in the short-term.

Amit advocated for a nuanced understanding of career success that is ever-changing and tailored to the individual's unique journey. In the early stages of a career, he noted that financial stability and job security are often the main focuses. People at this stage might not have the luxury or the knowledge to pick jobs based on who they would be working with or what the company culture is like.

As professionals advance and grow their networks, priorities naturally shift. They may start looking for roles that offer leadership opportunities or a chance to make a more significant impact. This is often the time when the company culture and the quality of people one works with start to weigh heavily in job decisions.?

In line with this, Amit dispeled the often-touted clichés such as "follow your passion" or "always choose people over roles" as absolutes that might not hold true for everyone at every stage of their careers. He urged people to be honest about what they value at each point in their lives and to seek it out, but with patience and persistence. Right now, for Amit, being mindful and present with his kids defines his success.

Additional Gems from Amit:

?? ChatGPT is Amit’s current favorite product. ?

?? Amit draws inspiration from multiple people at various career stages, constantly learning diverse skills and perspectives to enrich his own approach to work.

??? Amit uses a "zoom in, zoom out" exercise to gain perspective on his challenges, emphasizing gratitude for his relatively minor problems compared to global issues, and employs productivity hacks to balance work and life.

Next up, join us for an exciting conversation with Tony Beltramelli , the co-founder of Uizard , the groundbreaking AI-powered UI design tool that is reshaping the landscape of digital design.?

?? RSVP here (Replay available upon registration)

Next up,

• Oct 27: Designing the Future with Uizard’s Co-Founder Tony Beltramelli ?
• Nov 3: A Masterclass in Product & Career Scaling with Vivek Patel, ex-CPO of Yelp
• Nov 10: Revolutionizing Creation on Roblox with Generative AI
• Dec 15: Mastering the Art of Decision-Making & Execution with P.J., Thumbtack CPO

More sessions coming… subscribe to stay tuned!?