A product manager at Meta has asserted that the advent of vibe coding has revolutionized his role, despite his lack of a technical background and an ongoing trepidation toward coding itself.
On a recent episode of “Lenny’s Podcast,” Zevi Arnovitz revealed that the discovery of AI coding tools in mid-2024 signified a pivotal juncture in his professional trajectory.
He likened this revelation to being endowed with “superpowers.”
Mastering the intentional use of AI, he posited, is “one of the biggest game changers that will significantly enhance one’s effectiveness as a PM,” referring to the realm of product management.
Arnovitz joined Meta in September of the previous year, following a three-year tenure as a product manager at the website-building platform Wix, as indicated on his LinkedIn profile.
He elaborated that his workflow has been meticulously reconfigured to leverage AI. Utilizing vibe coding tools such as Cursor in conjunction with models from Anthropic and Google, he has been able to ideate, draft, build plans, execute code, assess it, and update documentation efficiently.
This transformation has redefined his responsibilities as a product manager. No longer merely a mediator between engineering and design, Arnovitz operates more as a product owner, empowered to execute tasks directly.
“Everyone’s going to become a builder,” he proclaimed. “This trend will manifest significantly in the upcoming years.”
Nonetheless, Arnovitz cautioned that there are boundaries regarding the undertakings of non-technical product managers. He asserted that product managers should refrain from overseeing intricate infrastructure modifications or large-scale projects.
AI has enabled these managers to tackle smaller UI projects by creating features and subsequently passing the code to developers for final validation and completion, he noted.
As AI tools continue to evolve, Arnovitz anticipates that titles and responsibilities will likely “collapse,” suggesting that product managers should view vibe coding as a “collaborative learning opportunity” alongside their engineering teams.
Product Managers Transitioning to Builders
The emergence of AI coding tools is increasingly obfuscating the distinctions between traditional roles, allowing non-technical professionals—including product managers—to directly engage in product development.
During an October appearance on “Lenny’s Podcast,” Figma CEO Dylan Field remarked that AI has encouraged a multitude of workers to explore product creation.
Tasks that previously necessitated extensive engineering proficiency can now be executed using vibe coding tools, he noted.
“I believe we’re witnessing more designers, engineers, product managers, and researchers experimenting with roles outside their specializations,” he remarked.
“We’re all product builders, and some of us possess specialized skills in distinct areas,” he added.
This paradigm shift is also influencing corporate training for newcomers. In January, LinkedIn replaced its enduring associate product manager program with an associate product builder track.
“We aim to instruct them in coding, design, and product management at LinkedIn,” stated the company’s former chief product officer, Tomer Cohen, in a December episode of “Lenny’s Podcast.” The focus is on cultivating individuals who can “adapt across various roles,” he emphasized.
Cohen, who dedicated nearly 14 years to LinkedIn, departed the company in January and is currently serving as an advisor, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Source link: Businessinsider.com.
