Microsoft PM Shares AI Work-Life Hacks

Rishab Jolly, a senior program manager at Microsoft, has detailed his approach to using artificial intelligence to improve productivity. Based in Washington, Jolly describes himself as an early adopter who focuses on easy-to-replicate methods for work and hobbies. He uses AI to create initial drafts for work documents and to assist with research for his podcasting hobby. Jolly emphasizes that while AI saves time, human judgment remains essential for reviewing and editing outputs. He advises professionals to embrace the technology to focus on more meaningful tasks.

Jolly joined Microsoft as a program manager in 2017 after moving to the US for his MBA. He describes the role as the 'glue' that brings engineering, marketing, and business teams together. As AI tools have become more prevalent, Jolly has used them to reclaim time for strategic thinking.

Previously, Jolly compiled meeting notes manually. He now utilizes AI tools for note-taking, which significantly reduces administrative work. Additionally, AI assists in the drafting process for documents that clarify goals for engineering teams. Jolly reviews and shapes the AI-generated content himself before sharing it with his team.

He stated regarding his workflow: "I then review, edit, and shape the AI-generated content myself, applying my judgment and experience before sharing the document with the team."

Outside of work, Jolly experiments with a wide range of tools, including ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. He co-hosts a podcast called Curious Souls with his wife, discussing topics such as product management and AI. Researching guests and topics was previously time-consuming, but AI has accelerated this process.

Jolly uses large language models to search for trending topics on platforms like Reddit and to generate scripts. He even generates audio clips of the scripts to preview how they might sound. Despite these efficiencies, he still dedicates four to five hours each weekend to the podcast but accomplishes more within that time.

He noted: "I can now spend more time editing content, refining questions, and on personal activities like spending time with family."

Through experimentation, Jolly has learned the limitations of AI. He observed that AI outputs can sometimes be inaccurate, such as generating placeholder links that do not exist. Consequently, he treats AI-generated content as a starting point rather than a final product. This experience has made him more intentional at work, knowing when to rely on automation and when human intervention is critical.

He recommends that professionals start by experimenting with low-risk personal projects, such as planning hobbies or trips, before applying similar techniques in a professional setting.

Jolly believes that product managers will need to become proficient with AI to keep pace with industry expectations. He argues that AI will not replace the core functions of the role, which involve empathy and solving customer problems. Instead, AI serves as a tool to make professionals more capable.

He advises peers to embrace the technology rather than fear it. His final thoughts on the matter were clear: "There's no way around it, and the sooner you start doing it, the faster you'll see benefits."