Join us for our very first episode of AI Product Kitchen from Sauce, where we welcome Rachel Wolan - Chief Product Officer at Webflow. With over a decade of experience in the AI space, Rachel shares her journey from launching her first AI product at Talkdesk to leading the development of multiple AI products at Webflow.

In this episode, we discuss the intersection of AI and Product, exploring how AI can supercharge Product teams and enhance user experiences.

Come take a deep dive into:

• The evolution of AI in product development: Understanding how AI has transformed from machine learning-based products to generative AI solutions.
• The importance of solving customer problems: Rachel emphasizes that regardless of advancements in AI, the core focus must always be on addressing user needs effectively.
• Differentiating between leading and following in the AI space: Insights on when to innovate and when to enhance existing products with AI capabilities.
• Building a strong AI team: Strategies for upskilling existing teams and integrating AI fluency across product management, design, and engineering.
• The future of Product in an AI world: Predictions on how AI will reshape the product lifecycle, including the roles of QA, prompt engineering, and user experience design.

Here's how to connect with us:

• Find Rachel on ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠X⁠⁠
• Follow Matt on ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠X⁠⁠

And make sure to check out ⁠Sauce AI and follow us on LinkedIn!⁠

Episode timestamps
00:00 - Introduction to Rachel Wolan
00:37 - Rachel's AI Journey: A Decade of Experience
01:18 - The Evolution of AI Product Development
03:31 - Leading vs. Following in the AI Space
05:25 - Webflow's Initial Product Launch Strategy
06:51 - Transitioning to Multi-Product Offerings
08:37 - Building the First AI Team at Webflow
10:34 - Upskilling Teams for AI Fluency
12:11 - Investing in AI: Strategic Considerations
14:57 - Trends Reshaping Product Development
17:22 - Adapting Product Organization Structures
18:24 - Measuring Product Signal and Success
20:06 - Evaluating ROI on AI Investments
21:54 - Inspirations and Influencers in AI
23:10 - The Role of Human Augmentation in AI
25:25 - Designing Unique AI Experiences
27:03 - Go-to-Market Strategy for SMBs and Enterprises
30:48 - Prioritizing Features for Diverse User Personas
32:18 - The Concept of PM as GM
39:49 - Hiring PMs from Adjacent Functions
41:49 - Surprises in Building AI Products
42:42 - User Experience Challenges in AI
43:51 - Concerns and Excitement about AI's Future
44:56 - Future Predictions for Webflow Users
46:11 - Closing Remarks and Reflections