Drawing on DORA's 2025 AI Capabilities Model, GitClear, LinearB, and other research, this piece argues that AI amplifies existing team strengths and weaknesses rather than leveling them. Three priorities are outlined for technical leaders: (1) strengthen code review processes to handle AI-driven volume increases, since AI-assisted PRs wait 2.5x longer for review; (2) maintain discipline around technical debt, as data shows AI adoption correlates with 84% more code churn, larger PRs, and rising cognitive complexity; and (3) protect developer judgment by ensuring junior engineers still build real skills, since delegating to AI without engagement significantly reduces comprehension. The piece closes with a soft pitch for JetBrains IDEs and Qodana as a flexible, standardized workspace for any AI tool.
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Priority 1: Strengthen code reviewPriority 2: Stay disciplined about technical debtPriority 3: Give developer judgment a proving groundTactical note: Set the direction, not the toolsGive your team a workspace where any AI tool fitsSort: