Preface
It’s hard to find anyone these days who doesn’t have strong reactions to AI. I’ve watched my own feelings evolve with its rise, ebbing and flowing over the years. As a student, I felt an overwhelming excitement and optimism about where AI – and the fourth industrial revolution it accompanies – might lead us. That initial thrill was tempered as I began organizing AI events with virtual speakers and managing a data and AI book club. I adopted a monthly practice of learning about how bias and dependence on AI compromise our lives in both visible and unseen ways. AI is a double-edged sword – capable of driving immense progress but fraught with ethical dilemmas, privacy risks, and the perpetuation of biases we’re still struggling to confront in the real world today.
And so, we arrive at one of the greatest debates that resurfaces with every technological leap: do we dare embrace powerful technology even when we’re aware of the risks? As far as I see it, we don’t really have a choice – the debate itself is an illusion we indulge in. With the rise of accessible, generative AI tools available today, it’s clear that it’s here to stay. Nihilistic fears about it won’t protect us from harm. Pandora’s box is open, and as we peer into what remains inside, we find that hope springs eternal. AI is shaping our future, whether we’re ready or not. It has the potential to enhance human creativity and address pressing global challenges. Yet, the more we integrate this technology, the more we must ensure that AI serves humanity, and not just the interests of a few. Philosophically, the questions AI raises about intelligence and consciousness are essential to redefining what it means to be human in an age where machines can think, adapt, and even create.
I wanted to write a book about AI product management because it’s the makers of products who transform possibilities into realities. Understanding the intricacies of how to ideate, build, manage, and sustain AI products with integrity, to the best of my ability, feels like the greatest contribution I can offer to this field at this moment in time. I’m encouraged by the collective bargaining power of individuals demanding that companies adopt AI ethically and responsibly. I’m relieved that so many AI product teams today prioritize human-centered design and are committed to building products they can proudly bring to market. This shift holds a mirror to our biases and prejudices, prompting us to look deeply into the reflection we see – asking whether we truly like what we’ve created. It places the human experience of AI front and center, encouraging us to build expressions of AI that reflect our highest aspirations rather than our deepest flaws.
It’s been an honor to deliver this second edition.
