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How I used AI tools to accelerate onboarding, understand team dynamics faster, and show up more confidently as a new engineering manager without drowning in docs or meetings.
Starting a new role as an engineering manager can be overwhelming. You’re expected to absorb technical context, understand team dynamics, and start delivering impact all within the first few months. In my most recent onboarding experience, I decided to do something different: I let AI help.
In this talk, I’ll share how I used AI tools to streamline my onboarding as a new manager. These tools didn’t just save time they helped me surface insights I might have missed, get clarity faster, and reduce the pressure of “figuring everything out” on my own.
I’ll walk through real examples of how I used AI to synthesize org charts and product documentation, explain complex systems, interpret unfamiliar code reviews and engineering standards, and improve team workflows. I’ll share how I mapped out my new engineers’ roadmap, identified gaps in our processes, and even prototyped onboarding plans all with AI’s support. I’ll also talk about what didn’t work, where human judgment was essential, and how I balanced automation with building authentic, trust-based relationships.
This isn’t about hype it’s about how AI can be a practical partner in the messy, high-context reality of engineering leadership. Whether you’re a new manager, hiring one, or just curious how AI is changing the way we work, you’ll walk away with practical ideas and honest reflections from the front lines.
Key takeaways
- How AI can reduce early-stage overwhelm for new managers
- How to use AI tools to accelerate understanding of org context and culture
- Pitfalls to avoid when over-relying on automation
