Broadcasting
Beyond Human: Navigating the Future of Product Management in the Age of AI
By Akintunde Opawole,
The role of a product manager has always been challenging and exciting. A product manager is responsible for managing the entire product lifecycle, from conception to launch, and ensuring that the product satisfies customer and business needs. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), however, the role of a product manager is undergoing a substantial transformation. With the advent of AI, we will examine the future of product management careers in this op-ed.
AI in Product Management
Multiple facets of product management already incorporate AI. AI can be used, for instance, to analyze customer data and generate insights, predict customer behaviour, and automate customer support and sales tasks. AI can also be used to enhance the precision of product forecasts and optimize pricing.
AI’s ability to enable product managers to make data-driven decisions is one of the most significant ways it is transforming product management. Product managers must be able to analyze and interpret data effectively to make informed decisions as the availability of data grows. AI can assist product managers in achieving this objective by automating data analysis and generating insights that can inform product development and marketing strategies.
Additionally, AI can be used to automate customer support and sales, allowing product managers to focus on more strategic tasks. For instance, chatbots can be used to handle routine customer support inquiries, allowing product managers to concentrate on the development of new products and features.
The Future of Careers in Product Management
The increasing use of artificial intelligence in product management is likely to have a substantial impact on product management careers. Although AI will not replace product managers, it will alter the required skills and abilities for success in this field.
Data literacy will be one of the most important skills for product managers in the AI era. Product managers will need to effectively interpret and analyze data in order to make informed decisions. This requires data analysis, data visualization, and statistical analysis expertise.
In the era of artificial intelligence, product managers will also need the ability to interact with AI systems. Product managers will need to comprehend how artificial intelligence functions, what it can and cannot do, and how to effectively integrate it into product development and marketing strategies. This requires proficiency with machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
Product managers in the AI era will also need to be able to consider how AI can be used to enhance product development and marketing strategically. This will necessitate an in-depth understanding of the business and market, as well as the ability to identify innovation and growth opportunities.
Lastly, product managers in the era of AI will need to be able to collaborate effectively with members of different functional areas. AI will likely necessitate the collaboration of product managers, data scientists, engineers, and designers, among others. Product managers must be able to effectively communicate with these stakeholders and collaborate to achieve business objectives.
The Opportunities and Challenges:
The increasing use of artificial intelligence in product management presents both significant challenges and opportunities. The ability to make better-informed decisions is among the most significant opportunities. With the growing availability of data and the sophistication of AI systems, product managers can generate previously unavailable insights using AI. This can assist product managers in identifying new growth and innovation opportunities and optimizing product development and marketing strategies.
The ability to automate routine tasks represents a second significant opportunity. As AI systems advance in sophistication, they will be able to handle an increasing number of routine tasks, allowing product managers to devote more time to strategic tasks. This can assist product managers in becoming more productive and efficient, thereby enhancing business performance.
However, the expanding use of AI in product management also presents significant obstacles. The possibility of bias in AI systems is one of the most significant challenges. AI systems are only as good as the data on which they are trained, so if the data is biased, so will the AI system. This can result in unintended outcomes such as perpetuating existing inequalities or discriminating against certain groups of people. Product managers must be aware of these risks and take measures to mitigate them, such as ensuring that data used to train AI systems is diverse and representative.
AI’s potential to disrupt traditional business models represents a further significant obstacle. AI has the potential to automate many previously human-performed tasks, resulting in job displacement and substantial changes to the workforce. Product managers will need to be
aware of these risks and collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure a smooth and equitable transition to an AI-driven economy.
In conclusion, the increasing use of AI in product management is likely to have a substantial effect on careers in product management. Although AI will not replace product managers, it will alter the required skills and abilities for success in this field. To succeed in the AI era, product managers will require new skills in data literacy, AI systems, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration.
While the growing use of artificial intelligence presents significant challenges, it also presents significant opportunities to make more informed decisions and automate routine tasks. Product managers who are able to navigate these obstacles and seize these opportunities will be well-positioned for success in the rapidly changing world of product management.
Akintunde Opawole is an exceptional business thought leader that has built an impressive career with over 10 years in the ICT industry and significant aspects of entrepreneurship. As a certified Product Manager and an experienced Product Owner, he is noted for leading, managing and collaborating with high-performing teams of developers, scrum masters and business analysts to deliver high cutting-edge technologies/products. In 2022, He shipped the biggest Data Analytics product in West Africa. He is currently building an Omnichannel – AI solution for the retail sector in Europe.
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has warned disc jockeys (DJs) against publicly playing music without proper authorization or a valid license.
NAN reports that John Asein, NCC director-general, gave the warning in an advisory issued in Abuja.
He said the commission’s attention had been drawn to the growing practice of DJs playing music in public spaces without obtaining copyright licences from their approved collective management organisations (CMOs).
Asein said under sections 9 and 12 of the Copyright Act, 2022, only the owner of copyright in a musical work or sound recording has the exclusive right to reproduce, perform, or communicate it to the public.
The NCC threatened to prosecute defaulters in a case that could lead to a N1 million fine or a 5-year jail term upon conviction.
“Engaging in any of these acts without the owner’s authorisation constitutes an infringement under the Act,” he said.
“Such infringement may constitute a civil wrong or a criminal offence under section 44 (7), punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than N1 million or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or to both.”
Asein advised DJs to obtain the necessary licences and pay royalties to the approved CMO before performing music publicly.
The NCC director-general added that the commission will arrest and prosecute anyone found violating the law.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the approved CMO for musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria is the Musical Copyright Society, Nigeria (MCSN),” he said.
“The Commission is aware that the Disc Jockey’s Association of Nigeria (DJAN), as the umbrella body representing DJs in Nigeria, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with MCSN.
“Under the arrangement, DJAN is authorised to work with MCSN to facilitate the payment of royalties by DJs nationwide, based on the tariff that DJAN had negotiated with MCSN.”
Netflix has increased its subscription fees in Nigeria for the third time since 2024, with the Premium Plan rising by 21.43%, from ₦7,000 to ₦8,500 per month.
This marks the streaming platform’s first price adjustment in 2025.
Other subscription tiers have also been affected.
The Standard Plan now costs ₦6,500, up from ₦5,500—a hike of 18.18%.
The Basic Plan has increased from ₦3,500 to ₦4,000, while the Mobile Plan moved from ₦2,200 to ₦2,500, reflecting increases of 14.29% and 13.64% respectively.
The latest adjustment aligns with Netflix’s broader global pricing strategy, which the company has linked to its ongoing investment in content and platform development. In a previous communication to investors, Netflix stated, “As we invest in and improve Netflix, we’ll occasionally ask our members to pay a little extra to reflect those improvements. Which in turn helps drive the positive flywheel of additional investment to further improve and grow our service.”
While the company did not explicitly cite inflation in its most recent update, its website indicates that local economic factors influence its pricing structure.
“Price changes are made to respond to local market changes, such as changes to local taxes or inflation,” the statement read.
The move mirrors similar pricing shifts among other major digital and entertainment services in Nigeria.
Companies including Google, DSTV, GOtv, and Microsoft have also raised subscription rates, attributing their decisions to continued inflationary pressures and a weakening naira.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) have jointly introduced “The Big Picture’, a flagship initiative under Nigeria’s renewed Digital Switchover (DSO) project.
Under the project, Nigerian households will for the first time, gain access to high-quality digital broadcasts via affordable satellite dishes, hybrid devices, and internet-enabled set-top boxes.
Backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, this strategic shift marks a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape by leveraging the country’s sovereign satellite infrastructure.
At the heart of the initiative is NigComSat-1R, Nigeria’s only communications satellite in orbit, which will play a critical role in delivering Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasts across the entire Nigerian territory.
This satellite-first approach eliminates the traditional dependence on terrestrial transmission towers, accelerating the nationwide rollout of digital broadcasting by over 65%.
It also offers a scalable, cost-effective, and future-ready model for expanding digital access and promoting national storytelling.
Key figures, including: Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC; and Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, managing director, Nigcomsat, have welcomed this forward-thinking strategy, emphasising its importance in maximising the use of national satellite assets and ensuring inclusive access to digital content.
An estimated 10 million homes equipped with DVB-S2-compatible televisions or decoders will have immediate access to free-to-air channels, while others will benefit from next-generation hybrid devices that combine satellite feeds with online streaming capabilities.
These new branded devices are designed with the country’s youth-dominated demographic in mind over 60% of the population is under the age of 25.
They will feature pre-installed apps, voice search functionality, parental controls, and seamless integration with NigComSat’s Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), offering an intuitive and engaging user experience.
In a data-driven upgrade to Nigeria’s broadcasting ecosystem, NBC is also partnering with global analytics firm GARB to introduce real-time audience measurement technology.
This will enable broadcasters, advertisers and content creators to analyse viewership trends across regions and devices, helping to tailor content more effectively and drive higher audience engagement. The introduction of this system is expected to boost advertising revenue by as much as 300% by 2026.
The success of “The Big Picture” will rely on robust collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and other content partners are expected to supply 60% of programming for the new 120-channel platform, using both original and repurposed content.
Meanwhile, local manufacturers will contribute by producing around 5 million compliant devices annually, a move projected to create over 20,000 jobs in assembly plants nationwide.
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