This is a really clear distinction, thanks for sharing this, Diego. I had a follow-up question. You mentioned using different prototyping tools to clearly demonstrate where and why AI is being used. If I build something like a subscription management app using tools like Lovable, where I am mainly using AI to prototype faster rather than solving the core problem with AI, would that still count?
I am trying to understand what kinds of projects would best showcase AI thinking, especially for someone who isn’t directly working on AI in their current role but wants to build a strong portfolio on the side. Would love to hear examples of what that could look like.
Hi Tani! Forget for a moment about AI. There’s two steps in this process:
You are a Product Manager: Your main goal, regardless of whether AI is in the equation, is to solve someone’s pain point (even yours). Using AI to prototype and leaving it there (as a prototype) is a fun way to play with AI tools, but not really launching any products into the market. I’d push you to break the “prototype” barrier and try getting users, talk with them, gather feedback, etc…
Is AI the best solution?: A big part of your job as an AI Product Manager is not to throw AI everywhere, but to understand whether AI should be part of your product (most of the time the answer is “no”). Using AI to scale and be more efficient as a PM is great! (we all should do it). To become an AI PM you need to find a great use case that AI can solve in a unique way, not just throw AI to the wall and see what sticks.
Does this make sense? Definitely keep using AI tools to be faster at testing hypothesis like any other PM would. If your goal is to be an AI PM, you need to push a little further and launch something out there (that has a good reason to use AI too) :)
Hey Diego, I'm a fellow student on your course! I'm looking for a job in AI PM. Do you think the one-page CV is still valid even after ten years of exp?
Absolutely! I’d say that the most important thing about your resume is not the length but that it’s tailored to the role you are applying to!
Working on showing that you have the experience and skills they are looking for is much better time spent than figuring out what to remove to make it fit in one page. If you add more relevant things and you have two pages for your resume it’s perfectly fine :)
This is a really clear distinction, thanks for sharing this, Diego. I had a follow-up question. You mentioned using different prototyping tools to clearly demonstrate where and why AI is being used. If I build something like a subscription management app using tools like Lovable, where I am mainly using AI to prototype faster rather than solving the core problem with AI, would that still count?
I am trying to understand what kinds of projects would best showcase AI thinking, especially for someone who isn’t directly working on AI in their current role but wants to build a strong portfolio on the side. Would love to hear examples of what that could look like.
Hi Tani! Forget for a moment about AI. There’s two steps in this process:
You are a Product Manager: Your main goal, regardless of whether AI is in the equation, is to solve someone’s pain point (even yours). Using AI to prototype and leaving it there (as a prototype) is a fun way to play with AI tools, but not really launching any products into the market. I’d push you to break the “prototype” barrier and try getting users, talk with them, gather feedback, etc…
Is AI the best solution?: A big part of your job as an AI Product Manager is not to throw AI everywhere, but to understand whether AI should be part of your product (most of the time the answer is “no”). Using AI to scale and be more efficient as a PM is great! (we all should do it). To become an AI PM you need to find a great use case that AI can solve in a unique way, not just throw AI to the wall and see what sticks.
Does this make sense? Definitely keep using AI tools to be faster at testing hypothesis like any other PM would. If your goal is to be an AI PM, you need to push a little further and launch something out there (that has a good reason to use AI too) :)
Let me know if this helps!
This makes lot of sense, thanks for your reply!
Hey Diego, I'm a fellow student on your course! I'm looking for a job in AI PM. Do you think the one-page CV is still valid even after ten years of exp?
Absolutely! I’d say that the most important thing about your resume is not the length but that it’s tailored to the role you are applying to!
Working on showing that you have the experience and skills they are looking for is much better time spent than figuring out what to remove to make it fit in one page. If you add more relevant things and you have two pages for your resume it’s perfectly fine :)
Thank you so much, Diego!
Really good piece to kick off this substack IMO :D
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it :)