“Should junior devs still learn the fundamentals if AI can write the code for them?”

That’s one of the real questions Duncan and Jason tackle in this episode of Tech Council. They get honest about what AI is actually changing in engineering management, and what’s just hype.

They dive into how teams are adapting, what mentorship looks like when everyone has an AI assistant, and why outcomes matter way more than implementations.

If you manage a team or work on one, this episode will shift how you think about leading in a tech space that’s moving fast.

Top Takeaways:

• AI tools are changing the expectations for junior developers
• Mentorship remains crucial in developing good habits in junior developers
• Effective communication is key in managing teams
• Evaluating work now requires deeper understanding beyond surface-level quality
• The importance of outcomes is heightened in the age of AI
• Setting clear expectations is more challenging yet essential
• Junior developers can now contribute to higher-level discussions
• Documentation and formal practices are becoming more important
• The role of a manager is to guide teams towards achieving outcomes
• Technical skills can be taught, but attitude and engagement are critical

Connect with us:

Duncan Mapes

Jason Ehmke

DevGrid.io

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