George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
I recently conducted a poll on this platform asking the following question, similar to one that I posed in a past thread:
Question: When you ponder the impact of AI-based tooling and the future of AI-enabled technologies on your personal and professional life, which word resonates most with your being?
These break down from a positive/negative viewpoint as follows:
[A] Positive (93-78%)
[B] Negative (10-8%)
[C] Either Way (16-13%) - Disruptor
What does this represent to you? How would you characterize the mindsets behind, let’s say the top five—And NO, I was not the one who voted for “Apparition.”
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TEMITAYO WAHABstudent| CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITYCardiff, United Kingdom
1. Enabler
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1 reply by George Freeman
Apr 26, 2024 2:21 PM
George Freeman
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Just to clarify Temitayo,
These are the results from a poll, and I’m asking, “What do these results represent to you…” I’m not looking for additional responses, but thank you anyway.
George
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George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Apr 26, 2024 2:12 PM
Replying to TEMITAYO WAHAB
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1. Enabler
Just to clarify Temitayo,
These are the results from a poll, and I’m asking, “What do these results represent to you…” I’m not looking for additional responses, but thank you anyway.
George Saving Changes...
TEMITAYO WAHABstudent| CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITYCardiff, United Kingdom
The use of AI in project management has significantly expanded the resources available to practitioners and made the profession more accessible. This development has opened up new possibilities for project managers to streamline their processes, enhance decision-making, and achieve better project outcomes. Overall, the inclusion of AI in project management has brought about a positive impact on the field, making it easier for practitioners to deliver high-quality work efficiently. But some may not agree with this position but I know change is a constant factor. Saving Changes...
Mike FrenetteManager, IT PMO| Halifax Water (retired)Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Hi George.
I think the result of your poll indicates that not only is AI is here to stay, but it is incredibly useful to many. I note that Enabler made it to the top of the list, and Advisor was in 2nd place. This shows the frequent use of AI for people, or at least those who answered the survey, to become more knowledgeable in a subject area. AI as a teacher, as a valuable tool and as a lever career advancement. I believe we would not be having this conversation only a few months ago. So the velocity of uptake is quite breathtaking.
But... like any tool we have to be cautious in how we use it, and keep in mind the old saying, "A fool with a tool is still a fool!"
This probably doesn't apply here, but I thought I'd sneak it in for its comedic value. ;) Saving Changes...
This demonstrates that at least the folks in this community are optimistic and supportive of the use of AI rather than being Luddites.
Is that true of the broader PM community, especially those who are not associated with PMI?
Kiron Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
[A] PMI is foundationally focused on representing and demonstrating that AI-based tooling should be considered a strategic partner for success (my wording).
[B] The PM software industry is growing rapidly and is thoroughly focused on “AI everything.”
[C] Respected “research and consulting firms” that often set trends through their narratives are forecasting transformative impacts on the project management profession.
[D] Recognizing that organizations under varying forms of financial stress and market pressures look for any opportunity to streamline and highlight their efficiencies.
With those thoughts in mind and the above-referenced poll supporting the idea that project professionals (well, at least this community, as Kiron stated) are firmly on board the AI-tooling train—consider the following question:
What type of project professionals “are at risk” of being impacted in the not-to-distant future, and to what degree? [1] PMO-based roles [2] Resource Manager type [3] Executive of Project type [4] Project Assistant / Coordinator / Scheduler [5] Team Lead type (technical or business) [6] Project Manager by Title type [7] Project Consultant type [8] Other Saving Changes...
Unless and until human beings are comfortable being led explicitly by machines, any role where interpersonal skills and activities represents the majority of what is done are likely to be safe from replacement by AI. Those roles which perform analysis, reporting or administrative type activities are more likely to be impacted.
I would generally say that employees who perform mostly repeatable processes are the most at risk.
As an analogy, when PCs became commonplace in the mid to late 90's, many offices went from an administrative assistant per manager or sub-team to only at the senior manager level or higher. That had growing pains as word processors weren't very good at proofreading and still slow for the 2 finger typist, and many "do it yourself" computer applications were very clumsy by today's standard but today very few general office applications require an expert to use.
By contrast, while AI can replace a lot of skill with data analytics, it doesn't eliminate the need for the analyst to ask the smart questions of what is important, how to interpret the output, and where to go next with that information. Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Both of your comments are “on point” to functional reality!
However, the “corporate world turns” on a different axis (at times), finding its spin from the “executive corridor narratives” spurred by executive-facing media (e.g., 80% of project managers will be extinct by).
[1] As we know, the perspective of project management in many organizations is less than desirable, as it takes “the easy hit” for any perceived level of failure (justly or unjustly).
[2] As we know (or as I believe), the project management software industry will be inundating corporate executive management with the efficiency and cost savings opportunities provided by their AI-enabled suites of products.
[3] This software industry will be “raising the ante” on each other at a breathtaking pace and will soon be “eating their bread and butter,” the project professional, sacrificing them at the “altar of opportunity and market share.”
So, what I “feel” agrees with your statements, but what I “know” recognizes the corporate-political nature of organizational survival and executive idea brandishing.
Yes, AI-based tooling is here to stay—but as the corporate world turns, are “we here to stay?” Saving Changes...
"Anyone can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way - that is not easy."
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