Google Product Manager on Leveraging AI to Drive Productivity and Innovation

What do product leaders need to consider when leveraging AI to boost their productivity and drive innovation? In this podcast hosted by EY Platform Operations Lead Justin Leibow, Google AI/ML Product Manager Aqsa Fulara shares her insights on using AI tools to streamline workflows, accelerate product development, and deliver greater customer value. Aqsa also discusses her journey into product management and the keys to building successful zero-to-one products.

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Show Notes

1. Aqsa Fulara’s background – from India to Google, transitioning from technical to product roles
2. Her passion for solving customer problems and scaling solutions through product development
3. The evolution of AI from traditional ML to generative AI and its impact on product building
4. Importance of focusing on business use cases when applying AI solutions
5. How AI tools can streamline product development processes and boost personal productivity
6. Challenges of launching zero-to-one products – managing ambiguity and iterating quickly
7. Securing leadership buy-in and funding for new product initiatives
8. Balancing short-term iterations with long-term product vision
9. Leveraging hackathons to quickly validate and launch new features
10. Creating a shared vocabulary and mission to motivate and align the product team
11. Building psychological safety and rapport within the team through icebreakers and customer empathy
12. Showing the end vision and potential impact to inspire the team
13. Bridging the gap between remote teams and fostering personal connections
14. Advice for aspiring product managers interested in AI – start with automating repetitive tasks
15. Importance of staying updated on the latest AI trends and tools through newsletters
16. Experimenting with AI solutions to build confidence and practical experience
17. Reflecting on the value of building team rapport and understanding working styles early on
18. Balancing work with personal connections to create a supportive work environment
19. The core focus on solving customer problems, using AI as an enabler, not a forced solution
20. Driving innovation and efficiency in product development through the strategic use of AI