Leader’s Talk #23: Tech Leads in The AI Era – Disappear or Transform?

In the age of AI, the role of a Tech Lead is rapidly evolving: Will they fade away, or will they transform into the next generation of leaders?

In this 23rd episode of Leader’s Talk, we had an inspiring conversation with Mr. Trung Tran – Engineering Lead at Kyanon Digital, diving deep into this question. With practical insights and real-life experiences, the session shed light on how AI is reshaping the Tech Lead’s responsibilities and the strategies needed to adapt and thrive.

Key takeaways

• How to balance AI adoption with the human factor – integrating AI effectively without losing core human value: The future of tech lead role is about guiding teams through change, ensuring quality and fostering collaboration where human creativity and AI work together.
• The 4 new roles of a Tech Lead in the AI era: AI Orchestrator, Mentor Mindset, Quality Guardian and Change Leader.
• The 4 essential skills to become a Tech Lead 4.0: Prompt Engineering, AI Literacy, Leadership in Transformation and Human – AI Workflow Design.

The most important reminder: AI will not replace humans, but it will replace Tech Leads who refuse to transform.

AI is redefining the role of tech lead

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how engineering teams operate. From task automation to decision-making support, AI has become a core driver of efficiency in the software development process. This shift raises an urgent question about the future of tech lead role: will AI replace Tech Leads, or empower them to lead more effectively?

In the tech lead in AI era, success depends on transforming responsibilities rather than resisting change. Instead of being sidelined, Tech Leads have the opportunity to evolve into strategic leaders who can integrate human expertise with AI-powered innovation.

Tech lead 4.0: A shift in mindset and skills

The rise of AI is pushing Tech Leads to evolve from traditional leadership into AI-driven leadership. In terms of tech lead in AI era, success requires a mindset shift that embraces innovation and continuous adaptation. Leading in this context means guiding both people and AI systems to work together seamlessly, rather than seeing technology as a threat.

Preparing for Tech Lead 4.0 also demands new skills and approaches, learned through real-world challenges and case studies. For those concerned with the future of leadership in technology, it is about combining technical expertise with transformational leadership to ensure teams remain effective, agile, and future-ready.

Real impact: How AI boosts productivity and satisfaction

The integration of AI into software development has delivered measurable gains. Teams leveraging AI report a 35% increase in productivity, a 25% reduction in time-to-market, and up to 40% higher team satisfaction. These improvements stem from practical enhancements such as automated testing and boilerplate code generation, which free up valuable time for engineers to focus on more complex tasks.

Beyond efficiency, AI is also expanding the capabilities of teams by introducing new skill sets. With practices like prompt engineering and AI literacy becoming part of daily workflows, the future of tech lead role is closely tied to guiding teams through this skill transformation and ensuring that productivity gains translate into long-term growth.

Balancing AI with the human factor

Complementing human expertise

• AI should enhance, not replace, critical skills such as problem-solving and creativity.
• The tech lead in AI era plays a vital role in ensuring this balance.

Building trust within teams

• Address concerns about “AI replacing people”.
• Reinforce that AI is a tool for empowerment, not substitution.

Maintaining quality and security

• Set standards for reviewing AI-generated code.
• Protect against risks while ensuring reliability in delivery.

Redesigning workflows for integration

• Adapt processes to fully leverage AI’s capabilities.
• Keep collaboration, efficiency, and accountability at the center of operations to secure the future of leadership in technology.

The tech lead as AI orchestrator and quality guardian

In the age of AI, the Tech Lead role is no longer limited to managing projects and technical execution. Instead, the future of tech lead role is defined by four evolving responsibilities that combine human leadership with AI-driven capabilities:

AI Orchestrator

• Combine human expertise with AI capabilities to maximize team performance.
• Manage integration of AI tools across projects for greater impact.

Mentor Mindset

• Guide teams on how to use AI effectively and responsibly.
• Encourage adoption of new practices like AI literacy and prompt design.

Quality Guardian

• Review and validate AI-generated output to ensure accuracy, security, and compliance.
• Uphold high standards in software development processes.

Change Leader

• Lead the organization through AI-driven transformation.
• Shape culture, mindset, and workflows to secure the future of leadership in technology.

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Core skills for tech leads in the AI era

To thrive in the tech lead in AI era, leaders must cultivate a new skillset that goes beyond traditional technical expertise. These core capabilities enable Tech Leads to integrate AI effectively while guiding their teams through transformation.

Prompt Engineering

• Craft precise prompts to interact effectively with AI systems.
• Unlock higher accuracy and efficiency from AI-powered tools.

AI Literacy

• Develop a strong understanding of how AI models function and their applications.
• Ensure teams can apply AI confidently in real-world scenarios.

Leadership in Transformation

• Guide teams through organizational change in an AI-driven environment.
• Inspire adaptability and resilience while shaping the future of leadership in technology.

Human – AI Workflow Design

• Build processes where human creativity and AI capabilities complement one another.
• Create sustainable workflows that balance efficiency and innovation.

The three-phase roadmap to becoming a tech lead 4.0

Adopting AI effectively requires a structured approach. For the tech lead in AI era, transformation doesn’t happen overnight – it follows a clear roadmap that helps leaders integrate AI step by step while ensuring stability and growth.

• Explore & Experiment: Begin with small, low-risk projects to test AI’s effectiveness. This phase allows teams to understand practical applications, evaluate outcomes, and build initial confidence in AI adoption.
• Selective Integration: Introduce AI gradually into core workflows. Establish clear processes, create usage guidelines, and provide training to ensure teams adapt smoothly and avoid disruption.
• Scale & Optimize: Expand AI integration across full projects and departments. Continuously refine workflows to maximize efficiency and long-term impact, aligning with the future of tech lead role as a driver of transformation.

Building a roadmap for AI integration

Integrating AI into engineering workflows requires more than just deploying tools – it demands a structured, long-term vision. Rushing adoption often leads to inefficiencies, which is why Tech Leads must build a clear roadmap that positions AI as an enabler rather than a replacement. By approaching implementation step by step, the tech lead in AI era can ensure AI supports, rather than disrupts, team productivity.

A successful roadmap also relies on people. Training programs, mindset development, and continuous learning initiatives empower teams to fully harness AI’s potential. Encouraging experimentation while maintaining structured processes is key to securing the future of tech lead role, where leadership blends strategic planning with adaptability in an AI-driven environment.

Conclusion: AI enhances – not replaces – the tech lead

The tech lead in AI era is not at risk of disappearing – instead, the role is being redefined. AI enhances leadership by enabling greater efficiency, smarter decision-making, and new opportunities for innovation. Rather than eliminating the position, it paves the way for Tech Lead 4.0: a Human – AI leader who drives transformation.

The key to success lies in adopting the right mindset, developing essential skills, and following a clear roadmap. By embracing this evolution, Tech Leads can remain at the forefront of technology and guide their teams into the future with confidence.

At Kyanon Digital, we believe leadership in the AI era means building organizations where human creativity and technological power work hand in hand. We look forward to future Leader’s Talk sessions, where we’ll continue exploring how technology and leadership converge to shape the next generation of digital enterprises.