AI for Project Managers: What You Need to Know to Stay Relevant

Ways of Working

Rick Hefner, PhD

Executive Director, Caltech Center for
Technology & Management Education (CTME)

About the Presentation

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the way work gets done, project managers must adapt by understanding how AI tools and approaches can enhance core project management tasks. This session will demystify AI for project leaders, providing practical insights into how technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics are being used to improve scheduling, risk assessment, resource allocation, stakeholder communication, and decision-making. Attendees will explore real-world examples of AI applications in project environments and leave with actionable knowledge to evaluate, adopt, and manage AI tools that boost efficiency, accuracy, and outcomes across the project lifecycle.

Learning Objectives:

·         Identify key AI technologies relevant to project management, including machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics.

·         Explain how AI can support and enhance common project management tasks such as scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and resource allocation.

·         Recognize opportunities and limitations of integrating AI into different phases of the project lifecycle.

·         Develop strategies to incorporate AI tools into project workflows while maintaining team alignment and oversight.

About Dr. Rick Hefner

Dr. Rick Hefner is the Executive Director of the Caltech Center for Technology and Management Education (CTME), where he leads executive education programs focused on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, systems engineering, and project leadership. He brings over 40 years of experience managing complex technology projects across aerospace, communications, and health sciences sectors.

Dr. Hefner advises industry on how to integrate AI tools into project workflows to improve decision-making, risk assessment, and resource planning. He has developed and taught AI adoption and project management curricula for Fortune 500 companies, and frequently speaks on the intersection of technology and project execution. He holds a Ph.D. in dynamic systems control from UCLA and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.