This interview with Nate Gonzalez, OpenAI’s Head of Business Products, explores how OpenAI builds products, the traits they seek in PMs, and how Gonzalez leverages ChatGPT to boost productivity. OpenAI’s products are used by 92% of Fortune 500 companies and millions of smaller businesses.

1. New ChatGPT Features: Gonzalez discusses the recent launch of Connectors and Record Mode. Connectors allow ChatGPT to access internal knowledge bases like Google Drive and SharePoint, enriching its responses with company-specific information. Record Mode transcribes and summarizes meetings, adding another layer to the available contextual data. The development process involved extensive internal testing and iterative improvements based on user feedback, focusing on relevance and recency of information.
2. Product Development at OpenAI: OpenAI’s PM team is lean, relying on AI tools to amplify individual capabilities. They prioritize entrepreneurialism, grit, product sense, execution, and curiosity in their PM hires. Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of focusing on impact and aligning work with OpenAI’s mission. Roadmapping is a fluid process, adapting to rapid model advancements and user feedback. Ideas often emerge organically from within the company, reflecting a culture of initiative and agency.
3. Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption: Gonzalez highlights the shift from experimentation to full-scale AI deployment in businesses. The rise of internal “AI champions” is crucial for driving adoption. He advises focusing on high-leverage use cases within a company to maximize impact and demonstrates how OpenAI partners with businesses to achieve this.
4. Gonzalez’s Personal AI Workflows: Gonzalez shares three key ways he uses AI to save time: internal and external research, streamlining communication (emails, memos, Slack), and internal data analysis. He also utilizes role-playing and AI-assisted critique to enhance his communication and strategic thinking.
5. The Future of Product Teams and AI: Gonzalez envisions a future where AI acts as a co-worker, handling delegated tasks and freeing up human PMs for higher-level work. He emphasizes the importance of developing fluency with AI tools to enhance not just productivity, but also the quality of work. He advises aspiring professionals to focus on integrating AI into their workflows to improve both speed and quality of output.

In conclusion, the interview reveals a forward-thinking approach to product development and AI integration, emphasizing both rapid iteration and responsible deployment. OpenAI’s strategy focuses on empowering individuals and businesses to leverage AI for significant productivity gains and transformative impact.