Whatnot CPO: AI Is Exposing Rampant 'Product Theater' in PM
lennysan · x · 2026-08-03
Lenny's Podcast hosts Tom Verrilli, Chief Product Officer at Whatnot, to discuss the transformation of Product Management (PM) in the age of AI.
Key takeaways include:
- AI is exposing 'product theater': AI tools are making superficial PM practices obsolete.
- Shifting skill demands: Systems thinking is the fastest-growing skill for PMs. AI's biggest unlock for PMs is now in data science, not just prototyping.
- Team management reflections: Leaders should stop promoting A-players out of the work they excel at. The old mantra of 'hire great people and get out of their way' is fundamentally flawed.
Related event: Whatnot CPO: AI Exposes "Product Theater" in PM(3 posts)→
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