The PMI Switzerland Chapter’s 2024 one-day conference in Lausanne offered a deep dive into the profound impact of AI on project management. Set against the backdrop of Lausanne, known as the "City of the Olympics," the conference brought together a diverse group of professionals to explore how AI is reshaping the future of work. Through a rich combination of keynote presentations, industry insights, workshops, and experimental event formats, attendees engaged in thought-provoking discussions and innovative sessions tailored to help them navigate the complexities of AI-driven transformations.
A Thought-Provoking Opening
The day began with a speech from Nikola Goran Čutura, President of PMI Switzerland Chapter, who humorously mused about the possibility of robots competing in future Olympic Games. While this vision may seem far off, Čutura urged attendees to consider the significant implications of AI before it's too late, emphasizing that project managers must help guide this revolution.
Keynote: AI-Driven Transformation and Organizational Shifts
István Görgei, Sales Executive at Capture Group and gold sponsor of the day, delivered the keynote session, AI-Driven Transformation: Can AI Replace Traditional Managerial Roles? Shift to Individual Organization Styles. In this dynamic presentation, Görgei outlined how AI is driving the evolution of project management. AI platforms like "ServiceNow" are reshaping how resources are allocated—moving from people to roles and, ultimately, skills. The keynote explored the balance between human and AI decision-making, predicting a future where AI optimizes projects while humans adapt tasks and strategy. Görgei also referenced Elon Musk's bold prediction that work may one day become a hobby, inviting attendees to consider AI’s long-term impact on the workforce.
István Görgei
Talks
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Managing AI-Focused Transformation Programs: Addressing Key Capabilities and Interdependencies
The first talk, delivered by Tim Kley, CEO of KDX.Partners, focused on Managing AI-Focused Transformation Programs. Kley shared a comprehensive framework for AI implementation, underscoring the importance of understanding strategic themes and business challenges before diving into AI solutions. His advice to “think big, start small” resonated with attendees as he stressed the value of laying a strong foundation and carefully managing change.
If you attended this session, you must have appreciated Kley's emphasis on the importance of solid foundation work before introducing AI. His practical insights on change management—where people might initially take more time—were particularly valuable for those of us grappling with how to manage the human side of AI transformations effectively.
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Why the Best Projects Break the Rules
Edward Turner, Senior Private Banker at Dreyfus Sons & Co Ltd, and Lisa Yerebakan, Founder of Dawn, led the talk Why the Best Projects Break the Rules, which explored the evolution of project managers from skilled organizers to visionary leaders. Their "Teenager Theory" encouraged project managers to embrace flexibility, break traditional rules, and drive innovation in alignment with broader company goals. This session urged attendees to think creatively and push boundaries to achieve project success.
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Next-Gen AI PMO: Real-World AI Innovations in Project & PMO Management
Alexandre Rezende, Associate Partner at AdEx Partners, delved into the transformative potential of AI in Project Management Offices (PMOs) with his session Next-Gen AI PMO. Rezende highlighted how AI can enhance decision-making, efficiency, and overall project success through real-world case studies. The session demonstrated AI’s potential in automating routine tasks and optimizing project outcomes, giving attendees a glimpse into the future of AI-powered PMOs.
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Human-Centric Project Excellence: Leveraging System Thinking for Delightful Project Outcomes
Lieven Cornelis, CEO of Alert Management Consultants, presented a compelling workshop on Human-Centric Project Excellence. Cornelis introduced tools like AI-powered 360-degree feedback and personality assessments to help project managers nurture talent and ensure that individual growth supports overall team performance. His approach emphasized the importance of system thinking to achieve optimal project outcomes, demonstrating the critical role of investing in people.
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The EU A.I. Act – and How It Is Impacting You
In his talk on the EU AI Act, Philipp Rosenauer, Partner at PWC Switzerland, tackled the complex topic of AI regulation. With the EU AI Act recently passed, Rosenauer provided actionable insights for organizations looking to align their practices with the new regulations. He emphasized the need for transparency, safety, and accountability in AI projects, offering practical strategies for compliance.
Industry Insights
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Leveraging AI and ML for Corporate Innovations
In an insightful industry case session, Velan Thangavelu, Senior Information Services Project Manager at SICPA, discussed Leveraging AI and ML for Corporate Innovations. Thangavelu shared how SICPA successfully implemented AI tools like Copilot 365 to enhance operational efficiency and drive innovation. His session provided real-world examples of AI and machine learning applications in corporate settings, offering attendees valuable lessons on navigating AI-driven transformations.
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Can AI Save the Ocean?
Lynn Sorrentino, Program Officer at IUCN, presented a powerful case for AI in environmental conservation with her session Can AI Save the Ocean?. She demonstrated how AI tools, such as machine learning and computer vision, are used to monitor and combat plastic pollution in real time, particularly in hard-to-reach ocean zones. Sorrentino’s presentation illustrated the broader applications of AI beyond business, showing how technology can be harnessed for global environmental causes.
If you attended this session, you were probably struck by how AI is being used to fight environmental challenges like the "7th continent" of plastic pollution. Instead of seeing AI as a threat, it was refreshing to consider how this technology can help NGOs and governments tackle global environmental problems more effectively.
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Specificities of Project Management in Developing AI Tools: Embrace AI in Academia
In his industry case session, Miloš Cuculovic, Head of Technology Innovation at MDPI, explored Embrace AI in Academia, focusing on how AI tools are transforming scholarly publishing. Using MDPI's Ethical Checker as a case study, Cuculovic detailed the specific project management challenges of AI development in academia, stressing the importance of data management and model evaluation for AI projects.
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The Dawn of AI Factories in Financial Services: Transformation of GRC
Adetoyese Adedokun, founder of Complia, discussed the emergence of AI Factories in Financial Services in his industry case session. Adedokun shared insights into how AI is transforming governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) in financial services, enhancing operational efficiency and driving new revenue streams. His session provided a clear understanding of how AI is revolutionizing traditional financial systems.
Workshops
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Empowering Change: Innovative Assessments Tools for Project Management Evolution
Ruth Lechler, Research Associate at the University of Basel, and Stefan Isler, Co-Founder and Consultant at Projects 4P, led the workshop Empowering Change. In this dynamic session, the two speakers explored how maturity assessments can trigger and support organizational transformation. Lechler and Isler shared insights from their industry-academia partnership backed by Innosuisse, emphasizing the role of Projects4P in advancing project management. Their collaborative approach stimulated a deeper understanding of how to elevate project maturity across organizations.
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Elevating Data Literacy to Drive AI Effectiveness in Project Management
Marcus Glowasz, an Independent Data Coach, led a workshop on Elevating Data Literacy to Drive AI Effectiveness. Glowasz explained the critical role that data literacy plays in unlocking AI’s potential. He shared techniques for fostering data-informed decision-making and improving analytical thinking, providing attendees with practical strategies to enhance their project management practices in the AI age.
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Foster Innovation Using AI Tools
The workshop Foster Innovation Using AI Tools was conducted by Serge Schiltz, CEO of processCentric, and Naïla van Kommer, Visual AI-driven Innovation Consultant. They guided participants through a creativity exercise using AI tools to boost innovation in project management. Attendees learned how to apply AI-driven brainstorming tools to generate new ideas and tackle project challenges, making it a highly interactive and engaging session.
If you attended this workshop, you must have enjoyed how Serge Schiltz emphasized that it's about us, humans, being creative and how AI can support that creativity. This session illustrated perfectly how AI is not a replacement for human ingenuity but a tool to enhance our innovation potential.
Experimental Event Formats
The conference introduced various innovative formats to encourage deeper engagement. The Ask Me Anything session, featuring speakers Adetoyese Adedokun and Miloš Cuculovic, provided attendees with the opportunity to ask direct questions about AI transformations.
If you attended this session, you were probably intrigued by Adedokun’s insight into the "black box" nature of AI, emphasizing how AI's capabilities are often not fully explainable. Cuculovic’s call for balance—between experimenting with AI and focusing on long-term solutions—might have resonated with you, as well as the consensus on the need for more education and awareness around AI regulations.
The Unconference format allowed participants to submit topics of their own interest, fostering collaborative learning. The Brain Date format facilitated networking around shared interests, encouraging meaningful conversations between attendees.
Conclusion and Looking Ahead: IPM Day 2024
The PMI Switzerland Conference 2024 demonstrated that AI is not just an enabler but a catalyst for the future of project management. The event highlighted the importance of combining human creativity and decision-making with AI’s data-driven insights to unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation. As project managers, the challenge lies in harnessing AI while preserving the human-centric aspects of leadership.
For those looking to continue their journey in project management, PMI Switzerland is hosting another informative event: IPM Day 2024: Level Up Your PM Skills.
This nationwide SimulTrain® competition will take place in Zurich, Basel, and Lausanne on October 30, 2024, from 16:30 to 20:00. This event offers a realistic project management simulation, testing your skills in cost, schedule, quality, and team morale management. Join the challenge to level up your project management skills and see who will emerge as the most successful team!
Don’t miss out on this intense and rewarding experience!
GBN would like to thank the conference organizers for their efforts in putting together such an engaging and insightful event. We appreciate the opportunity to attend and the support provided throughout the experience.
Images: Raphael Gaxotte-Perrot, PMI.
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