Introduction to Product Management with AI

How do product managers decide what to build, whom to build it for, and whether it is working? How does that work change when AI becomes an everyday collaborator? This hands-on course introduces product management in technology through a human-centered lens. Students will practice customer discovery, market analysis, product strategy, experimentation, prioritization, metrics, roadmapping, prototyping, go-to-market planning, and cross-functional communication. They will also develop the interpersonal skills central to product management, including teamwork, negotiation, feedback, and navigating conflict. Students will use generative AI throughout the product-management process to support research, synthesis, ideation, product definition, prototyping, analysis, and communication. They will learn to evaluate AI-generated work, verify evidence, recognize hallucinations and weak assumptions, and determine when human research and judgment are essential. The course includes a quarter-long team project, frequent applied exercises, presentations and critique, and an intensive rapid-prototyping hackathon. This is a broad, fast-moving introduction rather than deep specialization in one area of product management. No prior product-management or AI experience is required. CS 177 may be taken before or after CS 147. An additional weekly studio/lab is required and will be scheduled when the course begins.