This week on the podcast I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr David Wood, Glenn D. Ardis Professor of Accounting at Brigham Young University, prolific author of over 200 publications, and the mind behind the new book Rewiring Your Mind for AI. David is not only an academic voice in accounting, but a leading thinker on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we learn, work, and create.
As product professionals, we’re all grappling with the same question: how do we stay relevant when the machines are learning faster than we ever could? This conversation gave me both a sense of urgency and a sense of hope.
Key Takeaways
AI isn’t just a tool—it demands a mindset shift.
Knowledge is no longer scarce; what matters is the quality of questions we ask.
Critical thinking is more valuable than blind trust—“trust but verify” must become our mantra.
AI will eliminate some roles but unlock new opportunities, especially for those who lean into learning.
Creativity isn’t about talent anymore—it’s about willingness to experiment with the tools in front of us.
Why We Need to Rewire Our Thinking
David began with a powerful observation, when he stands in front of a classroom today, his students already know more than he does on any given topic, thanks to the internet and now AI. That completely changes the role of an educator—and, by extension, the role of a product leader.
We can no longer define our value by what we know. Instead, our edge lies in how we think, the questions we frame, and our ability to guide others through ambiguity. For product teams, this means shifting from being “answer-givers” to being “problem-framers.”
From Transactional to Transformational Use of AI
One of David’s most striking points was his distinction between transactional and transformational use of AI.
Transactional: Copying a prompt, pasting an essay, ticking the box. The human learns nothing.
Transformational: Using AI to brainstorm, critique, and stretch thinking. The human becomes stronger in the process.
This is a crucial lesson for product managers. If we use AI merely to speed up backlog refinement or write quicker user stories, we risk being replaced. But if we use it to explore customer perspectives, model scenarios, or pressure-test strategies, we elevate our role into one that AI alone cannot fulfil.
The Superpower of Knowledge on Tap
David described AI as the superpower he once wished for in his doctoral days. The ability to touch a book and instantly absorb its contents. Today, generative AI offers that to all of us.
But there’s a caveat. AI often hallucinates, just as Wikipedia sometimes misleads. The trick is not to accept its answers as gospel, but to use them as starting points for deeper inquiry. Product leaders who master the art of “trust but verify” will be better equipped to navigate uncertainty and build resilient products.
Jobs, Creativity, and the Future of Work
We couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room, job security. David was candid—no one has a crystal ball. But history shows us that technology creates as many jobs as it destroys. The difference now is speed.
Junior roles may be vulnerable, but mid-career professionals still have an advantage—if they adapt. What’s more, AI lowers the barrier to entrepreneurship. As David put it, you can now “go from idea to startup” faster than ever. For product people, that means our ability to imagine and experiment becomes even more valuable.
And on creativity, David was refreshingly honest:
“I can’t draw, sing, or dance. But with AI, my ideas can come to life.”
That’s a powerful reminder that creativity is no longer about innate talent. It’s about curiosity and courage.
The Word We Forget: Yet
Perhaps my favourite moment in our conversation came when David talked about the pace of AI progress. Traditional computing doubled every two years. AI is doubling every five to eight months.
The lesson? Whenever you catch yourself saying, “AI can’t do that,” add the word yet.
For product professionals, that mindset is critical. The tools that look clumsy today will be standard tomorrow. The question is whether we’ll be ready to use them in the most effective ways.
Conclusion: Becoming Better, Not Faster
This episode left me with a simple but challenging reflection: AI can make us transactional or transformational. The choice is ours.
If we use it to cut corners, we diminish ourselves. If we use it to expand our thinking, spark creativity, and ask braver questions, we become the kind of product leaders the future needs.
So next time you open ChatGPT, Gemini, or any other tool, ask yourself: am I using this to get something done faster, or am I using it to become better?
Resources Mentioned
Book: Rewiring Your Mind for AI by Dr David A. Wood (If you but the book through the publishers website https://technicspub.com/rewiring/ and use the code TP25 you can save 25% on a digital version)
Film reference: Short Circuit (1986) – “more input” robot metaphor
Mo Gawdat – former Google X executive, author and AI commentator
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses – mentioned as part of the discussion on wearable AI
Google Gemini Storybook – AI-powered tool for creating illustrated stories
Stanford University studies on AI progress – reference to exponential development cycles
Guest: Dr. David A. Wood
Dr. David A. Wood is passionate about understanding new technologies and implementing them into the curriculum of Brigham Young University, where he works as the Glenn D. Ardis professor of accounting. He has published over 200 articles in a combination of respected academic and practitioner journals, monographs, books, and cases, including a recently released book on AI titled, “Rewiring your Mind for AI: How to Think, Work, and Thrive in the Age of Intelligence”. He has been awarded more than 30 awards for teaching, research, and service contributions. He has helped companies and organizations around the world learn about and implement GenAI and other tech topics. In 2023, he was named by Accounting Today one of the 100 most influential people in accounting. He is a cocreator of a free generative AI governance framework (see here), and of two companies related to GenAI training and reviewing Excel workpapers (http://skillabyte.com/ and https://hiddenhawkai.com).
