Context is now the product: Product leadership when software can build itself | Karri Saarinen

Context and organizational learning represent the true product, far outweighing the mere scaling of output through AI and automation. While modern tools improve execution speed, they risk creating a "software factory" that separates teams from the actual problems they aim to solve. To avoid this, organizations must prioritize deep customer intuition and shared standards over raw efficiency. Practices like "Quality Wednesdays" and "feature roasts" help teams cultivate collective judgment and refine their eye for detail. Instead of outsourcing thinking to agents, teams should use AI to synthesize customer feedback and maintain a shared knowledge base. Ultimately, hiring and team culture are the primary drivers of product success, as the quality of the output is a direct reflection of the team's understanding, taste, and connection to the user experience.