
Episode #40
AI in Product Design: How Teams Use It and Maintain Their Edge S1 EP40
In this episode of Bot Boundaries, co‑hosts Jackie and Katie are joined by Shira Kates, design executive and AI/UX strategist with 20 years leading product teams across enterprise, consumer, and AI-powered experiences. Most recently, at the VP level at Google AppSheet, she built a product vision that influenced roadmaps across Google Cloud AI. She’s now focused on AI products that make people’s lives better, with teams that bring real craft and curiosity to the table. They discuss how AI is reshaping product design, prototyping, and product teams, sharing insights on the rapid changes happening across product development. The conversation also explores the transition from corporate to a more entrepreneurial path, including the mindset shifts and opportunities that come with stepping beyond a large corporate environment. They wrap up with their Love It or Leave It segment, diving into everything from hikers in California needing rescue after relying on AI to plan a trip, to Ulta's use of Flock cameras, and New York City's decision to ban generative AI for students. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bot-boundaries/id1867232401 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TLKXXC3qnZ48UGkaT8DsQ?si=d026514efbc14203 Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@botboundaries Follow us on Instagram: @BotBoundaries Follow us on TikTok: @BotBoundaries Follow us on LinkedIn: @BotBoundaries Our website: www.botboundaries.com Connect with Shira here: https://shirakates.com/ Shira’s prototype of a coaching platform with an AI back office: http://sodsoov.com password: flywheel https://shirakatescoaching.com Instagram: @shirakatescoaching LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shirakates Substack: @shirakates Chapters 02:08 How AI prototyping has changed in recent years 03:52 The inflection point with AI-generated prototypes 04:58 Transformations in design workflows with AI 07:01 Market hype versus actual AI capabilities in design 08:02 The importance of human judgment and aesthetics 09:55 Favorite AI tools for design and prototyping 12:11 Workflow changes with Claude and Google AI Studio 15:05 Skills designers need in the AI era 17:25 The value of adaptability and AI literacy 20:29 Transition from corporate to entrepreneurial work 23:52 The future of AI and human collaboration in design Reference links to explore key topics discussed in this episode: https://ktla.com/news/california/hikers-rescued-mount-shasta-gemini-ai https://www.allure.com/story/ulta-beauty-flock-petition https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/09/mayor-mamdani-and-chancellor-samuels-put-students-first-with-nat

