We’re all seeing the flood of AI tools that can write user stories, summarize user feedback, and even draft entire PRDs. It’s easy to look at this and feel a sense of dread. If a machine can manage the backlog, what are we here for?
I believe this is the wrong question. This isn’t about replacement; it’s about elevation. AI is rapidly commoditizing the tactical, administrative parts of our job. This is a massive opportunity. It frees us from the tyranny of the backlog to focus on the work that truly matters—the work that AI can’t do.
This means doubling down on our uniquely human skills: forging deep customer empathy, navigating complex stakeholder politics, setting a compelling product vision, and making bold, intuitive leaps that data alone can’t justify. Our value is shifting from being excellent executors to being indispensable strategic thinkers. The PMs who embrace this shift will thrive, delivering more impact than ever before. Those who continue to define their role by the number of tickets they write might be in for a rough ride.
So, let’s get real: What’s one tactical PM task you’ve started offloading to AI, and how has it changed where you spend your strategic energy?