Are you building products that truly solve customer problems or just chasing technology trends? In this podcast hosted by Barbara Bermes, Mpowa CPO Sumaiya Noor speaks on human-centered product development in the AI era. Sumaiya shares her extensive insights from leading product teams across six continents, offering a nuanced perspective on how to leverage AI while keeping customer needs at the center of innovation.
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Show Notes
- Develop a T-shaped skill set with deep expertise in one area and broad understanding of complementary domains
- Focus on solving real customer pain points, not just implementing technology for technology’s sake
- AI should enhance customer experience, not replace human-centered design
- Regulatory compliance is crucial for long-term success in AI product development
- Understand global AI regulatory differences across US, Europe, and Asia
- Define clear success metrics for digital transformation initiatives upfront
- Involve both internal and external stakeholders in product development planning
- Simplify user experience – reduce friction in customer interaction flows
- Passion and genuine problem-solving matter more than following technological buzzwords
- Continuously upskill and stay updated on emerging technologies
- Consider the “why” and “what” of product development before focusing on the “how”
- Understand customer psychology and human factors in product design
- Use AI to augment capabilities, not just to say you’re using AI
- Keep humans in the loop throughout the product development process
- Recognize AI as a facilitating technology, not the ultimate goal
- Build products with a clear understanding of target audience personas
- Prioritize customer experience over complex registration or interaction processes
- Be open to raw, candid discussions about product development challenges
- Learn from diverse experiences across different industries and technologies
- Maintain a global perspective when developing products in the AI era
About the speaker
About the host
Barbara Bermes is an extremely passionate data-driven product leader, a previous International conference speaker, and a book author, with a comprehensive technical background and deep experience in B2B SaaS products at growth-stage companies. Motivated and driven by customer happiness, she is a decisive leader and executive with a proven track record of leading high-performing product teams with empathy, evangelizing product strategy and delivering world-class customer solutions. She frequently writes about product under https://bbinto.medium.com/