In my experience of onboarding over a hundred engineers, AI has significantly changed the landscape. Previously, onboarding involved extensive technical and cultural orientation, which was even more challenging with the shift to remote work. However, the introduction of AI, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), has reinvented this process.
Generative AI’s role in onboarding boosts efficiency and productivity. As Zavvy notes, AI-driven software speeds up onboarding, leading to quicker employee productivity and better retention and engagement. AI tools offer 24/7 access to resources, allowing new hires to consult information at their convenience, thus reducing information overload and the pressure of learning everything at once.
TechHQ highlights how AI simplifies tasks like document exchanges and account setups. Chatbots and AI tools answer new hires’ questions in real-time, easing their transition into the company. This approach leads to a smoother, more engaging onboarding experience.
At Doximity, we use Glean, an AI tool that integrates our internal data, providing instant GPT-powered answers for new engineers. This facilitates:
- Instant Knowledge Access: Engineers quickly access internal data, streamlining the learning process.
- Personalized Learning Pace: AI caters to each engineer’s learning style, allowing them to focus on unfamiliar areas at their own pace.
- Reduced Information Overload: AI delivers relevant, concise information, making onboarding less overwhelming.
Our recent revamp of the onboarding guide, prioritizing our GPT-powered knowledge base, has reduced the size of our onboarding guides by 30%. This shift aligns with the evolving tech-driven workplace, setting a new standard for integrating talent.
While AI is excellent for providing factual knowledge, it cannot replace human judgment and decision-making. This is where human mentors are crucial, guiding new hires through more nuanced, subjective aspects of onboarding. They focus on areas that align with the engineer’s strengths and the team’s needs, ensuring a seamless integration.
While not directly aimed at onboarding, platforms like Intro.co attempt to fill the gap where AI’s capabilities end. Intro.co connects individuals with human mentors, including founders, CEOs, and other leaders, for guidance that AI can’t yet provide. Some mentors on these platforms command fees as high as $5,000 per hour, catering to those seeking a competitive advantage.
This trend prompts an intriguing thought: At what point will AI’s aggregated knowledge eclipse the insights derived from a human’s lifetime of experience? As AI progresses, it increasingly challenges the boundary between computer-generated advice and human insight. This advancement hints at a future where AI might offer guidance that rivals or even surpasses human expertise in specific fields.
AI in mentorship complements rather than replaces human interaction. It takes on the factual, information-based learning, allowing human mentors to concentrate on the subjective aspects of onboarding. This combination results in a balanced, effective, and fulfilling onboarding experience for new engineers.
