Will Project Management Careers End with AI?
Ricardo Viana Vargas, Ph.D.
Global Leader in Project Management | Pioneer in AI Applied to Projects | Founder of PMOtto.ai and Macrosolutions | Board Member (IBGC - CCA) | IPMA-A | PMI Past Chairman | PMI Fellow | Author | Venture Capitalist
In This Issue
How AI is Shaping the Future of Work
As we all may know today, Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept confined to science fiction.
It’s here, integrated into our daily lives, and it’s transforming careers across the globe.
When we all think about AI, we often worry about technology taking our jobs as project managers, team members, or PMO members.
This is an absolutely fair concern.
If you do not evolve and understand that what is happening came to stay, you may have a hard time justifying that making reports, schedules, etc, is worth your salary.
However, if you make AI your ally and use it to empower your work, it can be one of our greatest allies in increasing the success rate of what you do and also improving your career. 🎯
LinkedIn’s recent Workforce Report indicates a significant increase in AI-related skills, with a staggering 190% growth in AI skills added to profiles globally over the last year.
This trend underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in today’s fast-paced job market.
Project managers must now be proficient in using AI tools and interpreting data-driven insights.
For project managers, this transformation is opening new doors, blending technological innovation with human expertise in ways that were previously unimaginable.
Tasks such as scheduling, task assignment, and progress tracking can now be almost fully managed by AI systems, allowing project managers to focus on more strategic aspects of their roles.
One of the most immediate changes AI brings to project management is its ability to automate routine tasks.
According to a recent report by McKinsey, AI could automate the activities that people are paid to perform, which includes many tasks traditionally handled by project managers and PMOs.
This requires a solid understanding of AI technologies and how they can be applied to enhance project outcomes.
This shift not only enhances efficiency but also elevates the role of the project manager to a more human, complex, and strategic level, where decision-making and leadership become the primary focus.
Additionally, AI’s capacity to analyze historical project data allows project managers to continuously refine their methodologies and think ahead instead of thinking about how to compile and analyze data.
But, don’t forget: with great power comes great responsibility.
In addition to these technical roles, the ethical implications of AI are becoming a central concern.
And it is a big one.
Project managers are increasingly responsible for ensuring that AI-driven decisions are transparent, unbiased, and aligned with organizational values.
This seems obvious, but it is not. It is very hard work. Since we were born, we have been educated with biases, and these biases are part of the DNA of 99.9% of all Generative AI platforms, or large language models if you want to be more technical. From ChatGPT to Gemini and Llama, there is no difference. All of them reflect human behavior.
On the good and the bad side.
Project managers who can navigate these complexities will be indispensable in ensuring that AI integration is both effective and ethical.
In one of my YouTube videos, I explored six essential ways AI can transform project management.
But even as AI reshapes the field, the human element remains irreplaceable.
At least for the present moment.
AI can process vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and even make recommendations, but it currently lacks a basic understanding of the nuances of human relationships, cultural contexts, and the complex emotions that often influence project outcomes.
Project management is not just about timelines and budgets… it’s about people, negotiations, and complex, multi-layered problem-solving.
A successful project manager must navigate interpersonal dynamics, motivate teams, manage stakeholder expectations, and foster collaboration.
These inherently human tasks require empathy, communication skills, and emotional intelligence — qualities that AI cannot replicate at the present moment.
I truly believe that the future of project management will be a blend of advanced AI tools and the irreplaceable human touch and complex thinking.
Despite how AI is evolving, Andrew Ng gave a brilliant example of how AI requires hard work to “learn.” Imagine a mug. For an AI system to be able to identify what is a mug and differentiate it from other objects, you may need to train the model with 10,000 different mugs and other objects. Probably to explain what a mug to your child of 2 years is, you may need to show her/him maybe 5 to 10 mugs and he/she will never forget what a mug is.
Our brains are insanely powerful.
This symbiotic relationship between AI and human project managers will not only enhance project outcomes but also elevate the role of the project manager to one of even greater significance in the digital age.
As project managers combine AI-driven insights with strong leadership and interpersonal skills, they will be able to navigate the complexities of projects more effectively than ever before.
AI is not just transforming project management — it’s creating new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Project managers who embrace AI, upskill accordingly, and navigate the ethical landscape will find themselves leading the way in this exciting new era.
In light of these developments, one might ask: How do we prepare for a future where AI is ubiquitous?
Continuous learning and adaptability are key.
Professionals must stay ahead of the curve by embracing lifelong learning and staying updated with the latest AI trends. The ability to innovate, think critically, and apply AI responsibly will be the defining traits of successful AI careers.
In a world where AI is advancing incredibly fast, it’s crucial to adapt and harness its power not just to survive but to thrive in project management and other aspects of our lives.
As technology evolves, it is shaping the future of work in ways we are just beginning to comprehend.
Being afraid and scared is a natural feeling. I am scared many times too. It is part of life and what is to be human.
However, if fear were something that would move us forward, we all would develop and attend courses on fear. 😊
What moves us forward is adaptability—our ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment.
This is what matters most.
Recommended by LinkedIn
What Has Been on My Radar Recently?
“Why Managing Change is Hard Work?”
This month, I’ve been doing a lot of posts about a topic that’s crucial for all of us: Change.
I even released a video on YouTube on this subject, in which I explore the Kübler-Ross Change Curve, a tool created nearly 55 years ago that remains incredibly relevant today.
Managing change isn’t just about rolling out new processes or systems. It’s about understanding the human and psychological journey involved.
So, in this video, I break down the stages of the Change Curve and offer actionable insights to make the change process smoother and less stressful.
Change is constant, and how we manage it can be the difference between success and failure.
Understanding the emotional journey is key to leading with empathy and ensuring a successful transition.
Plus, there’s a free downloadable primer titled "Why Change is Not Easy: Understanding the Change Curve and its Psychological Effects". You can download it here.
Additionally, if you’re interested in how change is discussed in the PMBOK7, I revisited this topic in another video:
In the dynamic world of project management, change is a powerful catalyst for growth. Embracing change helps teams adapt, innovate, and deliver better outcomes.
It’s not about avoiding challenges but turning them into opportunities for success.
“The Pentagon Wars”
I’ve got a movie recommendation perfect for anyone interested in project management—or just need a good laugh. It’s an older film but definitely worth a watch: The Pentagon Wars.
This film isn’t a documentary, but it’s a clever parody that dives into the chaos of a U.S. Department of Defense project. It follows the saga of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which started as a simple troop transport but turned into a huge mess. Due to constant meddling, shifting goals, and poor management, the project ended up costing the government $2 billion and failing to do its job.
I also remember recording a podcast about it. If you have a couple of minutes, you can listen to it here. It was recorded many years ago, so it's only in Portuguese!
It’s a fantastic (and funny) reminder of how things can go sideways when goals are misaligned and responsibility is avoided. I hope you like it!
10 AI Courses That I Recommend For Project Management
I recently shared on my LinkedIn page some fantastic courses that are incredibly valuable for your work, whether you're involved with AI or project management.
While only 2 of these courses focus specifically on Project Management, the other 8 offer a broader understanding of the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence:
Just a quick note: This is not sponsored content; it is just some genuine recommendations!
I hope you find it helpful and useful!
Quick Announcements
New article "Beyond Algorithms - The Impact of Emotional AI on Corporate Culture."
I’m thrilled to announce that Andre Barcaui and I have just published a new article in the PM World Journal titled “Beyond Algorithms - The Impact of Emotional AI on Corporate Culture."
It's always a great pleasure to collaborate with Andre on these topics.
In this article, we explore how Emotional Artificial Intelligence is reshaping corporate culture, moving beyond simple algorithms. 🎯
We examine the expanding role of Emotional AI in the workplace, its potential to improve decision-making and leadership, and the ethical considerations that come into play when adopting these technologies.
We believe that Emotional AI has the potential to revolutionize how we interact at work, but it’s crucial to approach its implementation with care and ethical consideration.
We hope you find the article insightful and thought-provoking. 😄
New article "A Green Blind Spot Threatens the Survival of ESG Initiatives. AI Can Help."
This has been a month full of new articles! That's why I'm also thrilled to share that Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez and I have just had a new article published by LSE Business Review!
The piece is titled "A Green Blind Spot Threatens the Survival of ESG Initiatives. AI Can Help."
In this article, we address the growing criticism facing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects. While there is a significant focus on the environmental side, social and governance issues are often overlooked.
Antonio and I explore how artificial intelligence, when applied thoughtfully, could be instrumental in balancing all facets of ESG within organizational projects.
You can read the full article here.
PMI Summit 2024
Since 1998, I never missed a single PMI Global Event. In a few days, I will join my great friends and professional colleagues at the most important event promoted by the Project Management Institute , the PMI Summit 2024.
Just out of curiosity, I had the privilege to attend PMI Summit and Global Conferences in Long Beach (1998), Philadelphia (1999), Houston (2000), Nashville (2001), San Antonio (2002), Baltimore (2003), Anaheim (2004), Toronto (2005), Seattle (2006), Atlanta (2007), Denver (2008), Orlando (2009), DC (2010), Dallas (2011), Vancouver (2012), New Orleans (2013), Phoenix (2014), Orlando (2015), San Diego (2016), Chicago (2017), Los Angeles (2018), Philadelphia (2019), Las Vegas (2022) and Atlanta (2023).
I hope to have the energy and health to attend many more. 😍
I am sure that Pierre Le Manh and his team will deliver a fantastic conference to all of us again!!
Striving for Kaizen, Project Manager, PMI-ACP ®, Gen AI PM
3moAs humanity we only became more efficient, intellegent and stronger after the introduction of the the wheel, Ford manufacturing era, introduction of computers, cellphones, social media and so will we with AI. Just Adapt and evolve and contribute to your industry. Thanks Ricardo.
Senior Program Manager, Growth @ Workiva | Strategist | Mentor | Relationship Builder
3moIt is good to get our heads on straight about the reality of AI vs being guided by myths and fears.
Senior Project Manager | Product Manager - PMP®, PSMI®, SPC, SAFe 6®, ITIL4®
3moThis is great content, as always! 👍 I can relate to it because every day reveals the tremendous opportunities #AI is bringing, along with the fear of so many upcoming #changes. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone on this journey 😊
Program/Project management | Mentor for Aspiring Project Managers
3moVery insightful- thanks for sharing. I can especially relate to " AI is not just transforming project management — it’s creating new opportunities for growth and innovation" and when you mentioned that the key to thrive is continuous learning and adaptability. Exciting times !
Project Director | Program Director | Head of Project Office | PMO Director | Portfolio Director | Strategy Office Director
3moExtensive newsletter! Thanka for sharing. In one of your post I read you were learning python. Do you think project managers need to to have the same skills than the data scientists?