RESEARCH FINDS ONLY 18% OF PROJECT PROFESSIONALS HAVE PRACTICAL AI EXPERIENCE

According to McKinsey, GenAI and other technologies have the potential to automate work activities that absorb 60% to 70% of employees’ time today

Tools cannot automate interpersonal skills, the invaluable and necessary skills project managers bring to projects

Communication, problem-solving, collaborative leadership, and strategic thinking – skills PMI calls ‘power skills’ – will continue to be crucial to project success

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According to McKinsey, GenAI and other technologies have the potential to automate work activities that absorb 60% to 70% of employees’ time today.

Tools cannot automate interpersonal skills, the invaluable and necessary skills project managers bring to projects. Communication, problem-solving, collaborative leadership, and strategic thinking – skills PMI calls ‘power skills’ – will continue to be crucial to project success. In fact, PMI research finds that organisations that place a high priority on power skills are significantly better at completing projects that meet business goals. Additionally, they waste less investment due to poor project performance compared to the global average (4.8% vs. 5.2%) and far less than organisations that put a low priority on power skills (8.8%).

“I see an incredible opportunity to elevate the leadership role of project professionals in their organisation, thanks to the AI-driven disruption,” said Pierre Le Manh, CEO of PMI. “Project professionals are natural learners, problem solvers, innovators, and they get things done. Now is the time for us to lead the AI transformation of organisations.”

To keep up with the latest developments in AI technology, project professionals must prioritise continuous learning. The Artificial Intelligence in Project Management Resource Center on PMI.org is the destination for learning to navigate a new era of efficiency, insight, and growth. The page, complete with AI insights and learning opportunities, will be updated consistently with new, thought-provoking survey findings, thought leadership, industry analysis, academic research, and community-contributed content and publications. The varied data sources – inclusive of PMI’s vast community of academic partners, enterprise partners, and millions of project professionals, combined with proprietary research – will set this content apart and make it the go-to resource for project professionals and organisations striving to leverage these tools to improve project success.

PMI will continue to release learning content focused on AI in project management, all created for project professionals by project professionals. The PMI community will test the learning content, ensuring it reflects the experience of project professionals who have relevant experience using AI in project management.

As AI takes a foothold on the project management profession, project professionals will need to embrace experimenting with these new tools and connecting with peers for lessons learned. To pave the way for professionals to do this, PMI is reimagining how project professionals can balance AI with human ingenuity at its annual event, PMI Global Summit, 25-28 October in Atlanta, Georgia, US.

The event’s program features AI-focused sessions, exclusive learning opportunities, and immersive activities. Attendees will learn from AI experts and thought leaders unpacking the power of using AI and be challenged to broaden their perspectives on the use of AI. Register for the event today here.

“AI is on the rise, with Goldman Sachs reporting AI investment could be near USD200 billion globally by 2025, making it clear that project managers need to embrace and lead this change,” said Sam Sibley, Global Head, Emerging Products & Innovation for PMI. “With the right combination of how to best use AI on projects and the project manager’s human touch, you can do more than ever to meet every challenge that comes your way. PMI’s commitment is to support and guide project professionals at every career stage to be at the forefront of this new AI-enabled world of work.”

AI brings the potential to unlock a better future with endless opportunities to improve project success rate, benefits realization, and the societal impact of projects. For project professionals who fully embrace AI and enhance their work with its capabilities, they will see career advancement opportunities.