PMI executive says AI gains depend on people as well as technology

Organisations will increasingly need to combine artificial intelligence with human judgment, leadership and execution if they are to turn technology investments into successful projects, according to Amit Goyal of the Project Management Institute. Goyal, PMI’s managing director for South Asia, made the remarks at the institute’s annual conference in Bengaluru on Saturday. The event was themed “Future-Ready Leadership in the Age of AI”.

He said artificial intelligence was reshaping jobs, business models and technology delivery. India’s technology ecosystem and its ability to adopt and scale new technologies could position the country well for the next phase of growth, he said. Goyal also pointed to the difficulty of converting AI adoption into measurable business results.

Citing McKinsey’s State of AI report, he said only 39% of organisations reported an enterprise-level impact on earnings before interest and taxes from AI. The conference brought together global industry leaders to discuss how businesses could turn their AI ambitions into practical outcomes. Discussions covered project execution, strategic thinking, adaptability, leadership and the continuing importance of human decision-making.

Johannes Heinlein, PMI’s interim president and chief executive, said technical knowledge alone would not make professionals distinctive. He stressed the need for workers to keep learning and updating their skills in order to remain relevant in the labour market. Heinlein said AI had removed some coding roles but had also created new career opportunities.

PMI is a Pennsylvania-headquartered not-for-profit organisation that provides standards, certifications, resources and networking opportunities for project professionals and changemakers globally.