Tuesday Jan 09, 2024

AutoCAD Evolution: From 2D to AI with Autodesk’s Marcus O’Brien

In this episode, we delve into a fascinating conversation with Marcus O'Brien, VP of Product, AutoCAD, at Autodesk, focusing on the evolution of AutoCAD. Marcus takes us on a journey, discussing how AutoCAD has evolved since the 1980s, establishing itself as a go-to tool for architects, engineers, and designers worldwide. From creating 2D and 3D objects to evolving into an extensible platform, Marcus shares insightful details about the product and its wide range of applications.

We also have the opportunity to hear Marcus's extraordinary personal journey from Ireland to America, and his transition into product management. Marcus enlightens us on the evolution of product management, discussing the industry's macro shifts that have influenced products and the strategies to enter product management today. Additionally, he shares his thoughts on what makes a great product manager, how AI and ML are utilized in product management and his experience in building models for Autodesk's products.

We conclude the episode by exploring the use of LLMs in 3D modeling and design, along with the capabilities of AutoCAD products in generative design. Marcus offers insights into onboarding customers and highlights the available tools for individuals interested in learning 3D modeling and design. Tune in to this insightful episode to learn from an industry expert and explore the world of AutoCAD and product management.

Key Quotes:

I think going through the technical route and then getting into product management later is a really strong foundation in being able to understand some technical engineering concepts, and then you can kind of scale yourself, learn a bit about strategy but be rooted in the technical side, I think is one of the things that makes you really successful but I think when I look at founders, if I look at all the VC investment that's happening at the moment. It's for a more technical founder base. So I think the wild west of, you can just go to a VC and you've got a business plan and you can talk the talk.I think those days might be over now, unless your company name ends in AI. But there tends to be more of a technical bias to these positions now, so I think anyone coming in with a technical background and then switching to PM, it's a good route.
When I look at AutoCAD's journey, the first 20 years was about building automations on desktop software. Maybe, after 20 years for the next 10 years was about acquiring vertical products or building vertical products and bringing them to market to target specific niches. From 2010, maybe to 2018 was more about multi-platform about creating AutoCAD that is truly everywhere where it's desktop, web, mobile. We've got AutoCAD design automation API in the cloud, so that if you want to run automations, if you don't want to do use your GPU, if you want to do things online with servers, we've developed this full third party ecosystem of developers who develop capabilities on top of AutoCAD. I think that was the kind of push and certainly this last number of years for PMs, it's been about machine learning and AI.
I think you need to learn it on the job, if I'm honest, maybe I'm a bit old school like that. I would push back on the ego and I actually think the most successful product managers are humble. And I think that is one of the qualities you look for. You want table stakes. You need the smartest person, you know, super smart people. My personal preference is a strong bias for action. So somebody who doesn't have to have the idea, but as the person who wants to get traction and make progress with the idea, incredible communication skills, both written and verbal, you have to be one of those people who just enjoys it.

I think if your company is solely reliant on LLMs to check your AI ML capabilities, you're probably missing a beat.I think the companies that are looking at more broadly beyond LLMs, maybe have a little bit more strategic advantage and more value to offer to customers ultimately.
I think that the way that I raise my kids needs to be different now, because I need them to be comfortable with working with AIs.I think that that's going to be their childhood. They're going to grow up with AIs. I think we have a role to play in teaching our kids how to get the best from AI in the way that we had to learn how to use iPads. They're going to have to learn how to work with AIs

Timestamps

(1:45) - The journey of AutoCAD

(7:56) - Marcus’ journey from Ireland to America

(12:05) - Taking the technical route to product management

(19:20) - Bringing GenAI and product management together

(25:26) - LLMs in 3D Modeling and Design

(29:56) - Goal Setting and Adapting in Product Management

(37:15) - Quick hits

Links

Connect with Marcus

Check out the AutoCAD podcast

Check out the Figuring Things Out podcast