Braze’s CTO on Building an AI-First Engineering Team
Summary: Jon Hyman of Braze shares how the company transformed into an AI-first engineering team in just months, redefining its development approach and infrastructure.
In a rapidly evolving tech landscape, the shift toward AI-driven engineering is no longer optional—it’s essential. Jon Hyman, co-founder and CTO of Braze, has been at the forefront of this transformation. Over nearly 15 years, he has guided Braze through significant growth, but the most recent evolution—transitioning the entire engineering team to an AI-first approach in just a few months—has set a new benchmark for what’s possible.
Hyman’s journey highlights the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into core engineering practices. Rather than treating AI as an afterthought, Braze embedded it into their development lifecycle from the ground up. This involved rethinking infrastructure, hiring for AI expertise, and training existing engineers to work alongside intelligent systems.
One of the key strategies was building internal tools that allowed engineers to interact with AI models more naturally. By creating custom APIs and platforms, Braze enabled developers to leverage AI without needing deep machine learning expertise. This not only accelerated development cycles but also fostered a culture where AI was seen as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement.
The results have been impressive. With AI integrated into their workflow, Braze has improved system reliability, optimized resource usage, and enhanced customer experiences through smarter personalization. Hyman emphasizes that the transition wasn’t just about technology—it was about mindset. Engineers had to embrace a new way of thinking, one that prioritizes adaptability and continuous learning.
As AI continues to reshape the tech industry, Braze’s approach offers valuable lessons for other organizations looking to stay competitive. It shows that with the right strategy and leadership, the transition to an AI-first model can be both fast and effective.
💡 Our Take
Braze’s rapid shift to an AI-first model demonstrates that cultural and technical transformation can happen quickly when leadership is aligned and focused. This case shows how AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a paradigm shift that requires rethinking every part of the engineering process.
📌 Key Takeaways
- Braze transitioned to an AI-first engineering team in under a year by rethinking infrastructure and workflows.
- Embedding AI into development processes required both technical innovation and cultural adaptation.
- Internal AI tools helped engineers collaborate with AI models without requiring deep ML expertise.
Tags: #AI #Engineering #TechLeadership #MachineLearning
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Source: https://stackoverflow.blog/2026/05/13/rethinking-engineering-for-the-agentic-area/
