The Next Generation Product Leader: What AI Teaches Us About Confidence, Blind Spots, and Building Better Products

In this episode, Shobhit speaks with Jyothi Nookula, Director of Product Management at Netflix and a seasoned AI product leader whose career spans Amazon Web Services, Facebook AI, and Etsy. Jyothi is also the creator of the “Next Generation Product Manager Course” which helps product managers remain current in a rapidly evolving world. 

Together, they explore what it truly means to build AI-native products and why AI demands a fundamentally different approach to product management.

Key Takeaways

• AI-native products are defined by dependence on AI: If you remove the model and the product falls apart, it’s AI-native. Otherwise, it’s just AI-adjacent.
• Confidence ≠ Competence: Like AI systems, PMs must balance confidence with self-awareness. Overconfidence creates blind spots.
• Start with the user, not the model: Technical metrics mean little if they don’t map to user experience.
• Model evaluation is continuous: Feedback loops, test suites, and data drift monitoring must be designed into the product from day one.
• Leadership is about creating conditions for others to thrive, not driving every decision.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the Show
00:25 – Meet Jyothi Nookula, Netflix Director of Product
01:13 – From Biotech to Big Tech: Jyothi’s Unconventional Path
02:58 – What Makes a Product Truly AI-Native?
06:58 – The Most Common Mistakes in AI Product Development
11:56 – Rethinking Success: How to Measure AI 
18:22 – Getting Teams Aligned on ‘What Good Looks Like’
20:09 – Leading the Shift: From IC to Director in AI Product
25:46 – Lightning Round: Books, Tools & Advice for Aspiring AI PMs

Connect with Shobhit on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/

Connect with Jyothi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyothinookula/

Become a Next Gen Product Manager: https://nextgenproductmanager.com/

www.intentionalproductmanager.com