In a recent LinkedIn post, Melissa Perri, a prominent voice in product management, discusses the common pitfall of ‘AI tool overload’ and advocates for a more focused approach to adopting artificial intelligence.
Perri highlights a tendency, which she admits to experiencing herself, of constantly testing new AI tools as they emerge. This, she argues, can paradoxically decrease productivity rather than enhance it.
“We adopt AI to boost productivity, yet the constant hunt for the next best thing leads to decision fatigue, onboarding overhead, and context-switching across platforms that drain focus.”
The core of Perri’s message is a call for intentionality in AI adoption. She questions the value of chasing every new release, emphasizing the importance of evaluating whether a tool truly serves a purpose or merely adds complexity.
The Trap of Tool Chasing
Perri elaborates on the unintended consequences of this scattergun approach to AI tools. The allure of the latest technology can lead to a cycle of evaluation and onboarding that consumes valuable time and mental energy, detracting from core responsibilities.
As Perri points out, the initial promise of AI is to increase efficiency. However, the reality for many can be the opposite. The constant need to switch between different applications and learn new interfaces can fragment attention and hinder deep work.
Finding Value Through Deep Integration
To illustrate her point, Perri shares a personal anecdote about her team’s experience with Granola, an AI tool for meeting notes. Instead of jumping to newer alternatives, they committed to the tool for about a year.
“My team at Product Institute followed. We didn’t chase every alternative that came along. We stuck with it, integrated it into our workflow, and let the benefits compound. That consistency paid off more than hopping between tools ever could.”
This deliberate choice to go deep with a single tool, rather than superficially sampling many, yielded significant benefits. Perri suggests that this strategy of focused adoption and integration is key to truly leveraging AI’s potential.
Focusing on Effectiveness
Perri urges professionals to ask a critical question when considering new AI tools: “does this tool make my team more effective, or does it just add noise?” This frames the adoption decision around tangible outcomes rather than the novelty of the technology.
According to Perri, the true measure of success with AI isn’t about staying current with every new development. It’s about identifying tools that genuinely enhance workflow and then committing to mastering them.
“The real win isn’t staying current with every AI release. It’s finding what works and going deep with it.”
By advocating for depth over breadth, Melissa Perri encourages a more strategic and ultimately more productive relationship with the ever-expanding landscape of AI technologies.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Melissa Perri on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on February 26, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →