AI is changing the game

The AI wave is rising — and as a developer, you can’t just “build” anymore. You’ve got to think like a product manager.

Let me explain.

Over the past few months, we all have been watching how fast AI is changing the game. Tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, Claude aren’t just helping — they’re literally doing what used to take developers hours.

It made me realize something that kind of hit hard:

Knowing how to code isn’t rare anymore.

But knowing what to build, why it matters, and how to make it useful? That’s still gold.

That’s why I believe every developer needs to start thinking more like a product manager. Not because we’re switching roles, but because that mindset is what will keep us relevant — and powerful — in this new environment.

Here’s what I mean 👇

🧠 1. Stop jumping into code. Start with the problem.

So many times, I’ve been guilty of diving straight into VS Code the moment I get an idea. But lately, I’ve learned to slow down and ask,

“What’s the actual problem I’m solving?”

Product managers do this by default. They focus on pain points, not features. If we want to build things that matter, we need to do the same — understand the user, the market, and the core why before writing a single line of code.

⚒️ 2. AI can write code. But it can’t decide what’s worth building.

AI has basically leveled the playing field when it comes to implementation. Want a login form? A to-do app? A REST API? AI will do 80% of it for you in seconds.

So what sets you apart?

• Knowing which problem is worth solving.

• Knowing which solution will actually stick.

• Knowing how to validate ideas with real users.

That’s not engineering. That’s product thinking.

🤝 3. Collaboration is no longer optional.

Old-school devs used to hide behind Jira tickets. "Just tell me what to build."

That’s not going to cut it anymore.

The best developers I’ve met lately are in every room — talking to users, brainstorming with designers, asking PMs hard questions. They’re not just writing code. They’re shaping products.

And guess what? That makes their work way more meaningful.

📈 4. It’s not about clean code. It’s about real impact.

I still care about writing good code, but I care more about whether what I’m building actually works for the user.

Sometimes that means:

• Shipping faster with imperfect code.

• Cutting features that don’t solve real problems.

• Saying “no” to something that doesn’t align with the vision.

That’s product thinking: choosing impact over perfection.

🚀 5. If you think like a product owner, you grow like one too.

Once you start thinking beyond your editor — thinking like an owner, like a builder — everything changes.

You stop waiting for direction.

You start asking better questions.

You take responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks.

That’s when you become dangerous in the best way possible — not just as a dev, but as a leader.

TL;DR:

AI is making it easier to build things.

But it’s not telling us what to build or why, YET.

That part is still on us — the humans who care about real problems and real people.

So if you’re a developer, here’s my advice:

Don’t just write code. Think like a product manager.

It’s not just a smart move. It might be the only one that keeps you ahead in this new world.