In a recent LinkedIn post, Melissa Perri, a prominent voice in product management, is questioning the true impact of the widespread adoption of AI tools within product organizations. While many teams have embraced AI, Perri highlights a critical gap: the difficulty in quantifying whether these tools have fundamentally altered how work is actually done.
Perri poses a direct challenge to product leaders, asking them to reflect on their current AI strategies. She prompts them to consider what truly concerns them in this rapidly evolving landscape. The core of her inquiry revolves around the tangible outcomes of AI integration, moving beyond the initial rush to adopt new technologies.
“Two years into the AI rush, most product orgs have adopted the tools. Far fewer can tell you whether any of it changed how they actually work.”
The Core Concerns Around AI Adoption
Perri articulates a series of potential anxieties that product leaders might face, urging for honest self-assessment. She suggests that the real concerns may not be as straightforward as simply falling behind competitors or the risks of rapid, unchecked implementation. Instead, she points to a more insidious potential outcome.
According to Perri, a significant worry could be the financial outlay on AI tools without a corresponding shift in operational methodology.
“Or quietly spending a fortune on tools while the way you work stays exactly the same?”
This sentiment underscores a broader debate in the business world about technology adoption: is it about acquiring the latest tools, or is it about transforming processes and achieving measurable improvements? Perri’s framing suggests that many organizations might be prioritizing the former over the latter.
Assessing True AI ROI in Product Development
The product leader’s central question probes the effectiveness of AI investments. Perri emphasizes that the most revealing answers come from introspection, free from external pressures.
“There is no right answer. There is only the one you would pick if no one from your leadership team was watching.”
This call for candid self-reflection is crucial for genuine progress. As Perri notes, understanding the true impact of AI requires looking beyond surface-level adoption and examining the deeper, operational changes—or lack thereof.
Diving Deeper into the Data
Perri directs interested parties to her ‘State of AI in Product’ report for further insights. This report, she indicates, offers a more comprehensive view of what other product leaders are experiencing and reporting regarding their AI initiatives. By aggregating these perspectives, the report aims to provide a clearer picture of the current state and future trajectory of AI within product management.
In essence, Melissa Perri’s LinkedIn post serves as a critical prompt for product leaders to move beyond the hype and critically evaluate the actual value and impact of AI tools on their teams’ day-to-day operations and overall effectiveness.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Melissa Perri on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 20, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →