a16z's Josh Elman: AI collapsed build costs, not the cost of knowing what to build
a16z · x · 2026-09-14
a16z amplifies partner Josh Elman's essay "Product Management is Still All About Telling Stories," arguing that AI has collapsed the cost of building products but not the cost of knowing what to build.
- The old loop was spec → scope → build; the new loop is build → play → design → ship, as prototypes become nearly free.
- Elman recounts Reid Hoffman's interview question — "what is the artifact a PM produces?" — and answers that it isn't the spec, but the story that aligns engineers, design, and business.
- Takeaway: as tooling gets stronger, taste, judgment, and a clear understanding of user needs become the scarce, valuable skills.
Related event: a16z: AI Cuts Build Costs, Not Product Judgment Costs(3 posts)→
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