AI Exposes 'Product Theater'; CPO Says Biggest PM Unlock is Data Science

lennysan · x · 2026-08-03

In a podcast, Whatnot CPO Tom Verrilli explores the transformation of Product Management (PM) in the AI era. He notes that AI is exposing and eliminating the rampant 'product theater' (meaningless surface-level work) in the industry.

He identifies systems thinking as the fastest-growing skill for PMs. Furthermore, he argues that AI's biggest unlock for product managers lies in data science rather than rapid prototyping. The discussion also covers management concepts like why top performers shouldn't always be promoted out of the work they excel at.

Related event: Whatnot CPO: AI is Killing 'Product Theater'(2 posts)→

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