Is Product Management going to be dead ?

Product management, as we know it, is dead.

Or at least, it will be soon.

This isn’t a hot take designed for clickbait—it’s a reflection of the profound shifts happening at the intersection of AI, technology, and team structures. The tools we’re using, the teams we’re building, and the speed of innovation demand a radical rethink of the way we define product management, how we approach product leadership, and what it takes to be successful in this evolving environment.

Let’s dive into what’s changing, what’s coming next, and—most importantly—what we need to do to prepare for this new world.

The Rate of Change Is Accelerating

I’ve never seen technology evolve this quickly.

Think about the last 18-24 months. AI advancements, particularly generative AI, have reshaped how we ideate, design, and execute. Tasks that once took weeks can now be completed in hours. For example:

• Building a product strategy: I used to spend weeks synthesizing customer feedback, team insights, and market data into a strategy document. Now, I can generate an 80% draft using ChatGPT on my drive to work, polish it in 30 minutes, and share it with my team.

• Prototyping designs: Gone are the days of sketching wireframes or waiting on design teams. Tools like Figma and AI-powered design assistants allow anyone to create beautiful, functional prototypes in minutes.

• Analyzing customer feedback: Instead of manually sifting through spreadsheets, AI-driven tools can automatically extract patterns, prioritize feature requests, and surface actionable insights.

AI has made product work faster, more efficient, and in many ways, less reliant on traditional product management skills.

What Does This Mean for Product Teams?

AI is Collapsing the Talent Stack

Historically, product management thrived on specialization. The classic “product triad” of Product, Design, and Engineering operated as distinct yet interdependent functions.

But AI is breaking down these boundaries. The future belongs to AI-powered triple threats—individuals who can seamlessly:

1. Code (or at least work closely with engineers),

2. Design (leverage AI tools to create prototypes and UX flows), and

3. Strategize (translate business goals into actionable product roadmaps).

These generalists will use AI tools as force multipliers, making them capable of doing the work of what was once a team of specialists.

Teams Will Shrink

Smaller, highly-skilled teams will outperform larger, siloed ones. With the rise of AI-powered tools, one motivated individual with the right skills and tools can outpace entire teams.

The product triad is giving way to hyper-capable individuals supported by AI agents and platforms. This isn’t a theoretical future—it’s already happening in forward-thinking organizations.

So, What Do We Do Now?

As product leaders, we have to pivot and prepare for this future. Here’s how:

1. Build AI-Powered Product Teams Today

To stay ahead, your team must embrace AI immediately. This means:

• Automating repetitive tasks: Drafting documents, gathering feedback, creating slides, prioritizing features, and tracking OKRs—automate all of it.

• Scaling creativity with AI: Encourage your team to use AI to brainstorm, prototype, and iterate faster.

• Upskilling for the future: Everyone, from junior PMs to senior leaders, must learn to leverage AI tools effectively.

AI won’t just save time—it will free your team to focus on higher-value work like customer empathy, creativity, and long-term strategy.

2. Embrace “No Lanes” Culture

In this new world, the lines between roles are blurring. Your team needs to adopt a “no lanes” mindset:

• Product managers should learn to design.

• Designers should understand code.

• Engineers should write product specs.

The goal isn’t to create a team of perfect generalists—it’s to foster a culture where team members aren’t afraid to step outside their traditional roles to move projects forward.

3. Invest in the Right Tools

AI tools are no longer optional. They’re essential for productivity and innovation. Here are some ways to use them:

• Writing and ideation: Use ChatGPT or similar tools to draft documents, PRDs, and meeting summaries.

• Prototyping and design: Leverage tools like Figma, MidJourney, or AI-driven design platforms to create prototypes instantly.

• Data insights: Automate customer feedback analysis and competitor research with no-code tools.

4. Rethink Team Structures

The “one size fits all” product triad is outdated. Instead, build customized, project-specific teams based on individual strengths.

For example:

• A product leader with strong design skills might lead a small, engineering-heavy team.

• A technical PM could pair with a business-savvy designer to drive innovation.

This flexibility will allow you to move faster and adapt to the changing demands of the market.

What Does This Mean for Product Leaders?

Product leaders—you’re not exempt from these changes. In fact, AI is coming for you too.

Here’s how you can stay ahead:

• Master new skills: Learn to manage AI tools, agents, and platforms as part of your team’s toolkit.

• Redefine success metrics: Move beyond traditional headcount models to evaluate the ROI of AI investments.

• Experiment with team topologies: Build teams around motivated individuals and their unique skill sets—not rigid organizational charts.

• Adapt your leadership style: Support your team in navigating this change by fostering a culture of experimentation, continuous learning, and collaboration.

The Bottom Line

AI is reshaping product management faster than most of us expect. This transformation isn’t something to fear—it’s an opportunity to reimagine how we work, build, and innovate.

As product leaders, we have a choice:

1. Cling to outdated structures and processes and risk irrelevance.

2. Embrace AI as a tool for growth and creativity and prepare our teams for a new era of product development.

So, ask yourself:

• How can you automate tasks to free up time for higher-value work?

• How can you upskill your team to thrive in an AI-powered world?

• Are you ready to build the future of product management, starting today?

The future is coming fast. Let’s not be surprised—let’s lead it.