How AI Will Collapse, Blur, and Rebuild Tech Teams with Kevin Adams, CIO at Edward Jones - Modern CTO Recap

Podcast: Modern CTO

Published: 2026-02-12

Duration: 48 min

Summary

Kevin Adams discusses how AI is reshaping organizational structures in tech, emphasizing that it's not just about changing software engineering but about evolving work processes and roles. He believes AI will enhance human roles rather than replace them, leading to a collaboration that redefines how teams operate.

What Happened

In this episode, Kevin Adams, the CIO at Edward Jones, shares insights on how AI is disrupting traditional organizational structures within tech teams. He describes his extensive background in financial services and technology, explaining that his role encompasses managing various divisions, including product management, software engineering, and cybersecurity. Kevin emphasizes the critical nature of his work, where failure is not an option, and how AI needs to be treated as a production system that must be resilient and trustworthy, especially in the financial industry.

As the conversation unfolds, Kevin elaborates on the potential transformations he anticipates over the next three to five years. He argues that AI will not merely change the tools used in software engineering but will fundamentally alter the operating models of organizations. He points out that the focus should shift from just how AI writes code to how it changes the way work gets done, which will subsequently impact roles, responsibilities, and leadership expectations within tech teams. Kevin believes that humans will move up in the stack, using their judgment and intent, while AI will handle execution tasks, effectively becoming partners in the work process.

Kevin also highlights the unique challenges faced in the financial sector, where regulatory exposure and the potential for reputational risk are significant. He stresses that speed is not the ultimate goal when implementing AI; instead, the focus should be on creating efficient, trustworthy systems that can withstand the complexities of the industry. This nuanced understanding of AI's role underscores the importance of collaboration between humans and machines, ultimately leading to a more effective and resilient tech workforce.

Key Insights

• AI is reshaping organizational structures, emphasizing collaboration between humans and machines.
• The focus should shift from AI as a tool for coding to AI as a partner in executing tasks.
• In highly regulated industries like finance, the implementation of AI must prioritize trust and resilience.
• Speed is not the goal; creating efficient and trustworthy systems is paramount.

Key Questions Answered

How is AI changing the role of CIOs in tech companies?

Kevin Adams explains that the role of CIOs is evolving to encompass a broader responsibility in integrating AI into organizational structures. He emphasizes that it's not merely about the tools but about how these tools will change the dynamics of work and leadership within technology teams. CIOs must adapt to these changes by redefining roles and expectations in the face of AI advancements.

What are the risks associated with AI in financial services?

Kevin highlights the critical importance of reliability and trust when implementing AI in financial services. He notes that failures in this sector can have severe consequences, impacting client services and trust. Therefore, AI systems must be designed to be resilient and secure, addressing potential edge cases that could lead to significant operational disruptions.

Will AI replace engineers and tech teams?

Kevin asserts that AI will not replace engineers; instead, it will take over manual and repetitive tasks, allowing engineers to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of their work. This shift means that humans will move up in the stack, driving intent and judgment, while AI handles execution, fundamentally altering the traditional roles within tech organizations.

What should companies prioritize when implementing AI?

According to Kevin, companies should prioritize making AI systems trustworthy, secure, and durable over time. He stresses that the goal is not speed but ensuring that AI can operate effectively within the highly regulated and interconnected systems of the financial services industry, where the stakes are high.

How will organizational structures change with AI integration?

Kevin predicts that as AI becomes more integrated into technology teams, organizational structures will shift to reflect new roles and responsibilities. This evolution will move away from traditional function-based models to ones that emphasize collaboration between humans and AI, fostering an environment where strategic thinking is prioritized over manual execution.