‘AI’s success is based on effective bundling of technology with human judgment, leadership, execution’

Amit Goyal, managing director of Project Management Institute (PMI) in South Asia, emphasized during the institute's annual conference that the success of AI projects will hinge on organisations effectively melding technology with human insight, leadership, and execution. As AI transforms jobs, business models, and technology delivery, India's robust technology ecosystem and capacity to adopt and scale new technologies are expected to position the country well for future growth.

Goyal, quoting McKinsey's State of AI report, revealed that just 39% of organizations report a significant impact on enterprise-level earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) from AI, highlighting the difficulty in turning adoption into tangible business results. PMI, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Pennsylvania, serves millions of project professionals and changemakers worldwide by offering them standards, certifications, resources, and networking opportunities to advance their careers.

During the conference, themed 'Future-Ready Leadership in the Age of AI', various global industry leaders shared practical insights and strategies for converting businesses' AI aspirations into concrete outcomes, focusing on how AI reshapes project success and execution, and the increasing significance of blending technology with strategic thinking, human judgment, adaptability, leadership, and robust execution skills.

Johannes Heinlein, interim president and CEO of PMI, noted in an interactive session that possessing technical expertise alone is insufficient to stand out. "Today, it is learning, continuous improvement, and staying relevant in the job market that matter," Mr. Heinlein stated, adding that while AI may eliminate certain coding jobs, it also generates new career opportunities.