AI isn’t the end of the Engineering Manager. It’s the beginning of the EM 2.0.

The conversation around AI and management often centers on a dystopian view of AI replacing middle managers. But that misses the point entirely. The true power of AI for EMs isn’t about job replacement; it’s about radical scaling and empowerment.

Think of it this way: AI gives you a team of personal assistants, or “agents,” that work 24/7. This allows you to delegate away the tedious, time-consuming tasks that have historically been a drag on your time and energy.

Delegate the Drudgery, Reclaim Your Focus.

Instead of spending your day on administrative overhead, you can now delegate it to AI agents and free yourself up for what truly matters: deep work.

• 1:1 and Meeting Prep: An agent can summarize the key points from your team’s project management tools (Jira, Linear) and communication channels (Slack, Teams) and present you with a concise, data-driven briefing before each 1:1. This gives you the context you need to have a meaningful conversation, not a status update.
• Performance Reviews: AI can analyze code commits, pull requests, and project outcomes to generate a fact-based, objective first draft of a performance review. This dramatically reduces the time spent on a manual chore and allows you to focus on the human-centered aspects: providing empathetic feedback and coaching for growth.
• Documentation and Follow-ups: After a key meeting, an AI agent can automatically transcribe the discussion, summarize the decisions made, identify action items, and even draft follow-up emails to stakeholders. You can then review and send with a single click.

The Flatter Organization is Here, and It Needs You More Than Ever.

As individual contributors become more autonomous with their own AI tools, organizations naturally become flatter and more streamlined. The old hierarchical model, built on information control and cascading commands, is becoming obsolete.

This shift doesn’t eliminate the need for managers; it elevates their role. When all problems start and end with people, the human element is irreplaceable. Your value as an EM is not in managing tasks, but in:

• Coaching and Mentorship: Guiding your team through career growth and skill development.
• Conflict Resolution: Mediating disagreements and fostering a healthy team culture.
• Strategic Vision: Translating business goals into a clear, actionable roadmap for your team.
• Empathy and Psychological Safety: Building a high-trust environment where people can do their best work.

AI is the lever that lets you scale your impact and reclaim your time. It’s an opportunity to shed the administrative burden and become a more effective, strategic, and human-centered leader. The future of engineering management isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing more of what truly matters.