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
As a Product and Technology leader specializing in AI-driven SaaS products, I am deeply passionate about shaping the future of product leadership. My experience spans hyper-growth startups, Fortune100 companies, and emerging technologies like AI and impact investing. I thrive at the intersection of innovation, strategy, and execution, transforming ideas into scalable, customer-centric products. My expertise in Product-Led Growth (PLG), human-centered design, and emerging tech uniquely positions me for contributing to Products That Count. Moreover, I have experience of building 0-1 Products. I want to serve on this Advisory Board because I believe in the power of Products That Count community to shape the next generation of product leaders. I bring technical expertise along with a deep understanding of market dynamics and global expansion strategies. I also have significant experience in building product and design teams from ground up. As an industry thought leader, I have mentored product teams, spoken at global forums, and helped startups scale from early-stage. My goal is to share these experiences and help product leaders navigate the evolving landscape of AI and SaaS. By joining the Advisory Board, I aim to utilize my expertise, collaborate with industry pioneers, and help shape conversations that drive real impact in the product community. Let’s build the future of products together!
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/