Meet John Cross - Product Owner for aiEazyFuel^®

Tell us about your journey with ai and what made you choose this area of work?

I’ve been with ai for over four years now, in various roles within the aiEazyFuel^® team. I originally joined due to my interest in aiRiskNet^®, as I hold a Master's degree in cybercrime, but after joining and becoming part of the aiEazyFuel^® team, I have developed a significant interest in the mobility and payments sector.

How has your role changed over the years at ai?

When I first joined The ai Corporation, I started in the aiEazyFuel^® support team, rather than the aiRiskNet^® team I initially had in mind. This experience opened my eyes to the mobility and payment sector and sparked a strong interest in this area.  

I was later promoted into the role of UAT Manager for aiEazyFuel^®, where I worked closely with several of our customers to help implement new features in their payment systems. Most recently, I have taken on the role of Product Owner - something I am very excited about. 

Starting out in the Support team gave me deep insight into both our systems and how our customers operate. I will carry this experience into my Product Owner role to ensure we continue to build the best possible platform and features - ultimately creating a smoother experience for both our customers and their end-users. 

What does a typical day look like for you?  

I usually arrive at the office around 9 AM, grab a coffee, and get ready for the day. My mornings often start with team meetings to align on priorities and discuss progress. The rest of my day is a mix of collaborating with developers, reviewing requirements, and planning upcoming features for the platform. 

I make a point of closely following the new features and updates that are introduced into our platform, taking the time to fully understand the details of each development ticket. In my role as Product Owner, it’s crucial for me to have a complete overview of what has been delivered - not just to support our customers effectively, but also to ensure that future developments align with our product vision and deliver the best possible value for our customers. No two days are exactly the same, which keeps things exciting — but the common thread is working closely with my colleagues to make sure we deliver the best possible solutions for our customers.

What is your team like?

My previous team in Support was incredibly energetic and close - always ready to help each other, no matter the time or situation. It was a pleasure to work alongside such a supportive group. The Product team shares that same collaborative spirit, which has made my transition into this new role smooth and enjoyable. Having teams that value communication and teamwork make a big difference, and I feel lucky to be part of such a supportive environment.

How do you ensure you keep your training and knowledge up to date?  

At ai I have been fortunate enough to be provided with training tools such as Pluralsight, to learn and develop my skills. Furthermore, during my time at ai, I have been given the opportunity to pursue both a Microsoft Certified SQL qualification and I recently completed the Certified Scrum Product Owner course, which was very useful in helping me understand the roles and responsibilities of a Product Owner. I feel that at ai there is a commitment to helping people develop their skills and knowledge.

What is the best part about your job? 

The best part of my job is that I can continue to grow and learn every day. I really enjoy collaborating with different teams, solving complex challenges, and seeing how the work we do directly improves the experience for our customers. Knowing that my contributions help shape the future of our platform is incredibly motivating.

What is your proudest moment at ai so far? 

My proudest moment was being offered the Product Owner position. I had worked hard to reach this milestone, and it was an incredibly rewarding feeling to see that effort recognised and to be trusted with such an important role.

How would you describe ai in 3 words? 

Collaborative, Rewarding, Innovative.

What do you enjoy most about working for ai? 

Without a doubt, what I enjoy the most is the people. As a company, we have a fantastic team spirit and plenty of opportunities to connect socially, which makes coming to work enjoyable. I also really value the chance to collaborate closely with our customers — building strong relationships and working together to create the best possible solutions.