Gregg Bernstein argues that user researchers diminish their value by outsourcing their expertise to generative AI tools. He emphasizes the importance of human-centered research and warns against the pitfalls of accepting average results from AI, which can undermine quality and innovation in the field.

Jenny Wen challenges the traditional design process in her keynote, suggesting that prototyping is more effective in today’s fast-paced environment. With AI tools making prototyping quicker and easier, designers can afford to experiment without the risk of wasting extensive time on flawed concepts. This shift encourages a more proactive approach to problem-solving.

Product management is often misunderstood as merely a facilitation role, but it is fundamentally a craft that requires deep engagement with users and the product itself. Outsourcing core activities like user interviews can diminish the value of insights and inhibit innovation. True product management involves synthesizing information and shaping the product through active involvement rather than just relaying information from stakeholders.