98% of Product Managers Use AI Daily. Only 39% Know What They're Doing.
Which One Are You?
“Just put your crash helmet on, and get on with it.” - That’s been my philosophy since 2007 when I pivoted from design to product. Now, with AI reshaping everything, it’s time to put that helmet on again.
Jay here.
After interviewing dozens of product leaders on our podcast (17,000+ downloads and counting), reading insights from our 1M+ annual readers across 225 countries, and engaging with our 11,000+ Substack followers, one thing is crystal clear:
The AI skills gap is creating two classes of product managers: Those who’ll thrive in 2026, and those who’ll be left behind.
Why I Built This Tool (And Why You Need It)
Look, I’ve been through major tech transitions before. Web to mobile. Desktop to cloud. Waterfall to agile. Each time, the PMs who adapted early won.
This time is different. The speed is unprecedented.
The Reality Check:
98% of PMs use AI but only 39% have proper training [Business Wire, Nov 2024]
66% admit using shadow AI - unapproved tools that could breach compliance [Business Wire, Nov 2024]
EU Digital Product Passport hits in 2026 - are you ready? [Salsify, 2025]
82% of organizations will use AI agents by 2026 [Analysts Corner, 2025]
When I founded Product Coalition in 2014, the mission was simple: Make mastery of product management globally accessible.
Today, that means helping you master AI before it masters you.
Introducing: The 2026 PM AI-Readiness Scorecard
We’ve taken everything we’ve learned from:
3,500+ articles published on Product Coalition
Interviews with leaders like Tamar Yehoshua (ex-CPO Slack) and Rich Mironov
Our recent podcast with Chris Butler from GitHub on AI in Product Ops
Research from McKinsey, Gartner, and MIT
Feedback from our global community spanning 225 countries
And distilled it into one comprehensive tool that gives you exactly what you need.
What Makes This Different
Most AI assessments are generic. Built by consultants who’ve never shipped a product.
This one’s different. It’s built by a PM (me), tested by PMs (our community), for PMs (you).
From my experience leading product teams across the world over 25 years, I know what actually matters:
Actionable insights, not theory
Role-specific guidance (B2B SaaS PM needs different skills than B2C PM)
Visual dashboards (because we’re visual thinkers)
Progress tracking (what gets measured gets done)
Regulatory readiness (2026 compliance is non-negotiable)
🚀 The Game-Changing Dashboard (Why PMs Love This)
Remember when I taught Lean Product Management at General Assembly? First thing I’d say: “If you can’t see it at a glance, you can’t manage it.”
That’s why we built a dashboard that would make any data-loving PM smile:
📊 Executive Summary Section
What it shows: Your overall AI readiness score (huge, can’t miss it), readiness level (🚀 AI-Ready to ⚠️ Needs Attention), and personal profile.
Why it matters: One screenshot to share with your manager. Shows commitment to growth and current capability in seconds.
💯 Key Metrics Cards
What it shows: Four critical KPIs - Skills Gap Average, Target Achievement %, Critical Gaps Count, Industry Comparison (+/- score).
Why it matters: Instantly see where you stand. No digging through data. These are the numbers that determine your AI readiness and market value.
📈 Skills by Category Breakdown
What it shows: Performance across 5 categories (AI Fundamentals, Product Skills, Technical Skills, Data & Analytics, Governance) with status indicators.
Why it matters: Identifies exactly which areas need attention. Stop wasting time on strengths when gaps are killing your effectiveness.
💪 Strengths vs Improvement Areas
What it shows: Your top 3 strengths and top 3 gaps, side by side.
Why it matters: Balance is key. Leverage strengths while systematically addressing weaknesses. This view prevents blind spots.
📊 Category Comparison Chart
What it shows: Visual progress bars comparing You vs Target vs Industry for each category.
Why it matters: See gaps visually. The ■□ symbols show progress at a glance. Perfect for visual learners and progress tracking.
🎯 AI Journey Timeline
What it shows: 4 milestone levels with dates: Foundation (30 days) → Developing (60 days) → Advanced (90 days) → AI-Ready (120 days).
Why it matters: Transforms vague goals into concrete milestones. You know exactly what to achieve by when.
⚡ Quick Stats Panel
What it shows: Total skills assessed, skills at target, days to 2026 deadline (countdown!), recommended study hours/week.
Why it matters: Critical context at a glance. That deadline countdown? It’s a daily reminder that time’s running out.
🎯 AI Readiness Meter
What it shows: Visual meter using 🟢⚪ circles showing your % AI-ready.
Why it matters: Gamification works. This simple visual motivates daily improvement. Share it on LinkedIn to show progress.
🚀 Next 3 Actions (Red Alert Box)
What it shows: Three prioritized actions based on your assessment, including your biggest gap and DPP compliance status.
Why it matters: Eliminates analysis paralysis. You know exactly what to do next. No more wondering where to start.
📈 Progress Tracker
What it shows: Historical tracking of assessments with dates, scores, and notes.
Why it matters: Prove your growth. Document your journey. Show consistent improvement to stakeholders.
Plus Four More Power-Packed Tabs
🎯 AI Skills Assessment
20 competencies with role-specific targets, industry benchmarks, visual gap analysis, and automatic priority ranking.
🔍 Quick DPP Check
8-point compliance checker with Yes/No dropdowns, instant scoring, priority levels, and action recommendations.
🎓 Learning Path
90-day roadmap broken into monthly milestones, linked to your actual gaps, with progress checkboxes.
📘 Welcome Page
Professional cover with my background, Product Coalition’s story, and how to use the tool effectively.
The Interactive Elements That Make It Addictive
We’ve learned from our 20,000+ newsletter subscribers what keeps PMs engaged:
Dropdown menus everywhere - No typing required
Role selector - Choose your PM type, everything recalculates
Conditional formatting - Colors change based on your scores
Data bars - Visual progress in every score cell
Auto-calculations - Everything updates in real-time
Emojis throughout - Because spreadsheets don’t have to be boring
Here’s What Happens Next
You have two choices.
Option 1: Keep doing what you’re doing. Use ChatGPT casually. Hope for the best. Watch as AI-fluent PMs get the promotions, the raises, the opportunities.
Option 2: Take 20 minutes today. Complete the assessment. Get clarity on exactly where you stand and what to do about it.
From my experience transforming teams blobally, I can tell you: The ones who act early always win.
Why This Is Free (And Always Will Be)
Product Coalition has always been about community first. No ads. No sponsors. Just pure value.
This scorecard is my way of giving back to the community that’s given me so much. From the talented people who’ve become friends, to the insights you’ve shared on Medium, to the 1M+ readers who trust us monthly.
We succeed when you succeed. It’s that simple.
GRAB YOUR COPY BELOW
A Personal Note from Jay
I’ve been through enough transitions to know: The scariest moment is right before you start.
When I moved from Sydney to Lisbon, when I left corporate to start Product Coalition, when I shifted from design to product – each time, the hardest part was taking that first step.
This scorecard is your first step. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about knowing where you are so you can get where you’re going.
As I always say: “Just put your crash helmet on, and get on with it.”
Let’s get on with it together.
Cheers,
Jay Stansell
Founder, Product Coalition
Connect on LinkedIn | ProductCoalition.com
GRAB YOUR COPY BELOW
Data Sources: Business Wire, Robert Half, McKinsey, Gartner, MIT NANDA, Salsify, EU regulatory bodies, and insights from the Product Coalition podcast.
P.S. - Forward this to your product team. Companies that upskill together, win together. Plus, it makes you look good for sharing. 😉
P.P.S. - Seriously, that 2026 deadline isn’t moving. Every day you wait is a day your competition gets ahead.