How can product professionals leverage AI and machine learning to empower creators? In this episode of Product Talk hosted by Jonathan Ozeran, Twitch VP of Product Jeremy Forrester discusses how the company is leveraging AI and machine learning technologies to empower creators on the platform. He shares Twitch’s focus on being creator-first and how they are exploring ways AI can help streamline content creation workflows and management. Jeremy also talks about how the streaming community is already innovating with AI, such as virtual avatars and AI-generated voices. He believes AI will open up more opportunities for diverse, passion-driven games by reducing barriers to entry. This discussion provides valuable insights for product managers on experimenting with emerging technologies and unleashing creativity.
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Show Notes
- Twitch is focused on being a creator-first platform to incentivize streaming.
- Jeremy Forrester has held various roles across product, engineering, and business development.
- His early career involved browser QA challenges and leveraging international audiences.
- Relationships and trust are important for moving into product management.
- Twitch emphasizes community innovation like virtual avatars and AI shows.
- AI can enhance creator tools by reducing content workload.
- Regular release cycles improve product development.
- Machine learning training involved hands-on sessions with engineering leads.
- Pandemic challenged building culture remotely through Slack and virtual meetings.
- “Tea time” calls helped break down barriers and connect people informally.
- Streamers are already innovating with AI like avatars and generated voices.
- AI may accelerate underrepresented game genres and passion projects.
- Product managers’ tools will evolve through AI assistants and workflow aids.
- Emerging markets strategies included device partnerships and zero rating.
- Diversity of experiences prepared for challenges like mobile redesign at Twitch.
- Business development requires understanding mutual benefits for partnerships.
- Experimentation and creator focus will shape Twitch’s AI development.
- Gaming will see more organic dialogue and responsive content with AI.
- Individual creativity may flourish through easier game development with AI.
- Relationships are important for moving between roles and companies.
About the speaker
Jeremy Forrester serves as the Vice President of Community Products at Twitch, overseeing the development of the service’s diverse range of tools and features built to help streamers make entertaining content, get discovered, and engage with their communities. With a rich background in product management and business development, Jeremy brings extensive experience from his previous roles as a Business Development Manager at Twitter and Opera. His expertise lies in the realms of mobile, social, and live video, making him a driving force behind Twitch's innovative product strategies. Jeremy holds a professional degree in Software Engineering from The University of Birmingham, where he also earned his Masters of Engineering. He currently resides in California and has been at Twitch for more than seven years.
About the host
Jonathan is a product and operations leader, company builder, investor and advisor. He has assembled, scaled and led product, design, software engineering, hardware engineering and machine learning teams across numerous financing stages (pre-seed through Series G).