PMI Training: Delving into the Shadows of Artificial Intelligence

 

By: Carlene Szostak

Chatbot technologies, Deep Learning Methods, Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)… those words weren't part of mainstream business just a few years ago, but that is no longer true.

AI has quickly gone from a niche entity to a big deal, shaking up all industries. You can't go a day without hearing about the latest AI breakthroughs, their impact on our status quo, and the benefits of these advancements. It's not a question of if AI will shake things up; it's more about when and how much. However, there is one part of the AI story that often gets overlooked. Do you have any thoughts on what that might be?

But first...

An important thing to remember is that even with everything AI can do, AI is not fluid. The data currently is not real-time. If  you ask Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT, they’ll reveal their “training data” was last updated in September 2021 and January 2022.

The "training data" is the foundation for building AI models. You notice the quote - yes, "training data." This means the model is exposed to diverse texts from the internet, books, articles, and other sources, which is the information they provide. This data is used to teach the model to understand language patterns, context, and relationships between words and phrases. As AI expands, I have seen the addition of this phrase: “My responses are based on the knowledge available up to that time. While I strive to provide accurate and relevant information, it's essential to verify the information I provide with more current sources, especially for rapidly changing topics like technology, news, or events.” ¹

Now that we all have a basic understanding of AI functionality, let's talk about what no one is talking about. FACT: AI is not just transforming industries, but the very fabric of human existence. Alright, I might sound a little dramatic, but there are real concerns about privacy, bias, job displacement, and the overall impact on society; we have entered "The Brave New World." ²

Ninety-two years later, this brave new world is now, and it raises important questions about the ethics of AI, algorithm biases, and the potential for AI to worsen existing social inequalities. It might sound deep and intellectual, but as project managers, we need to keep on top of this technology and peel back the layers of AI. Yes, the complexities are evolving daily, every minute, and every nanosecond, but its implications for our future can't be overlooked.

With full disclosure, I have to share that I love AI. I have experienced how AI is an invaluable asset in risk management and using AI-powered analytics for identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks. Plus, AI can spot patterns that we humans might totally miss.

But with all these advancements, there are some challenges to face. All industries must adjust to the rapid pace of technological change and carefully navigate ethical considerations surrounding AI. How do we make sure we're using AI in a way that aligns with societal values and is used responsibly?

To tackle these ethical challenges, businesses need to ensure accountability, honesty, and fairness when using AI systems. This means ensuring that AI algorithms are not biased, keeping customer data safe, and giving clear rules to employees, stakeholders, customers, and regulators about how AI will be used in the company. Is this a perfect solution? No, but it is something we can start today, and we should always keep working on it instead of just saying, "mission accomplished."

AI offers many new opportunities for businesses to thrive and grow. However, integrating AI into your operations can be risky. We must be careful not to rely solely on AI as the ultimate authority. Yes, AI is a powerful tool, but it can never replace the importance of ethical and critical thinking. We need to ensure that we use AI as a trained assistant and not as a replacement for human judgment.

Join me at any one of the upcoming PMI Training sessions this year: "Artificial Intelligence Revolution: Empowering Project Managers for Success." In this four-hour session, we'll delve into the world of AI, discussing its challenges, value, and everything in between. Come join us to expand your knowledge of AI and what it means for you.  This training is scheduled for PMI MAX Orlando in June, September Virtual  and November Virtual.  

^{1: Source: ChatGPT}

^{2:  “The Brave New World" is a dystopian novel written by Aldous Huxley, published in 1932. Set in a futuristic world where society is controlled by technology and conditioning, it explores themes such as the dangers of a totalitarian government, the loss of individuality, and the consequences of sacrificing freedom for stability.}