How to Lead Engineers Through the AI Shift

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The Tech Trek

Elevano

566 episodes

11 hours ago

The Tech Trek explores the intersection of People, Impact, and Technology — how engineering leaders build high-performing teams, deliver real outcomes, and shape the future of innovation. Hosted by Amir Bormand, founder of Elevano, the show features CTOs, VPs of Engineering, and technical leaders sharing candid insights on leadership, scaling, and building technology organizations that last. Each episode uncovers the decisions, lessons, and mindsets that separate good teams from great ones — and the people who make technology move forward.

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How to Lead Engineers Through the AI Shift

The Tech Trek

30 minutes 40 seconds

4 weeks ago

How to Lead Engineers Through the AI Shift

Edward Khoury, CTO at Jump, joins Amir to unpack what it really means to lean into discomfort as AI transforms engineering. From redefining craftsmanship in the age of AI-generated code to helping teams evolve their skill sets, Edward shares how he’s creating space for experimentation without losing focus on delivery, culture, or shareholder value.

This is a conversation about leadership in motion—where the future of engineering isn’t just about writing code faster, but about reshaping how teams learn, build, and think.

Key Takeaways

• Why leaders must intentionally give engineers time and space to experiment with AI tools

• How to balance individual learning with organizational goals and KPIs

• The rise of the “product-focused engineer” and what it means for the next generation of builders

• Why platform engineering is becoming critical for scaling AI adoption

• How embracing discomfort leads to resilience and competitive advantage

Timestamped Highlights

1:29 — What “leaning into an uncomfortable world” means for engineers today

3:40 — Creating space for experimentation while keeping delivery on track

6:06 — Balancing freedom to explore with standardization and shared learning

8:34 — Navigating the fear that AI will replace engineering roles

14:11 — How productivity gains will shift bottlenecks from engineering to product

20:31 — Teaching engineers to think like product owners

23:45 — Why user adoption will become the next big challenge as development accelerates

26:58 — How AI tooling is already shaping hiring plans and org design

One Idea That Stuck

“You can’t push everyone through the door—you just have to open it.”

Pro Tips

Edward suggests pairing engineers with product partners earlier in the process—not after specs are written—to help them understand business context and build stronger product intuition.

Call to Action

If this episode made you think differently about leadership in engineering, share it with a teammate who’s navigating AI adoption. Subscribe to The Tech Trek on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and follow Amir on LinkedIn for more conversations with the builders shaping the future of tech.