How do I keep my AI/ML PM skills up-to-date since I impacted by layoff?

Firstly, I’m sorry to hear about your recent layoff and hope that you are finding or will soon find some great opportunities.  That said, a huge kudos to you for looking to keep your skills up to date, which will show any prospective employer your dedication to product management, while also benefiting you in the long run.

When it comes to AI/ML, there are a wide and growing number of resources available to you. It’s still a very new space, and so my guidance here would apply both to you and others who are seeking their next opportunity, as well as those currently employed.  There’s just so much opportunity here, and those who do not embrace AI/ML today are going to fall behind at some point!

A few suggestions:

• Continuous Education.  There are plenty of online courses and certifications that you can pursue, many of them free or part of a subscription or a paid service (e.g., LinkedIn) where you can enroll in AI/ML courses.  You can also obtain certifications from recognized academic and industry institutions such as Stanford, Cornell, Harvard, ISACA, and many others.
  

• Practical Experience where you could take on short-term AI/ML projects, such as through freelance or consulting efforts, or contributions to open-source AI/ML projects on platforms like GitHub.  Or even undertake your own personal AI/ML projects to continue to explore tooling, developments, and improve your own skills.
  

• Networking and Community Engagement such as joining an organization like the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), attending AI/ML conferences and trade shows, or engage with local groups of like-minded professionals.
  

• Staying Generally Informed by subscribing to blogs and newsletters with a focus on AI/ML or joining groups on platforms like LinkedIn and X to stay abreast of new developments.

These are just a handful of suggestions, and I’m sure the community would add many more, but I wish you all the best in finding your next position!