Synopsis:

In the fast-evolving landscape of AI-driven industries, project managers face a paradoxical challenge: the imposter syndrome in the age of AI. This phenomenon can undermine confidence, fuel anxiety, and hinder effective integration of AI into project management practices.

This keynote presentation aims to tackle these challenges head-on. It provides project managers with actionable insights and strategies to enhance their competency and confidence in leveraging AI technologies. By demystifying AI, the presentation fosters an environment conducive to learning and innovation, debunks prevalent myths about AI, and illustrates practical approaches for harmonizing AI tools with human expertise to amplify project outcomes.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how AI can be a powerful ally in project management, equipped with the knowledge to use these tools to their full potential without feeling overshadowed or intimidated by the technology.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the Roots of AI Anxiety: Gain insights into why AI often induces feelings of inadequacy among professionals and how this affects project management practice.
• Overcome Imposter Syndrome: Explore the root causes of imposter syndrome related to AI adoption in project management and identify strategies to overcome these feelings to foster a culture of confidence.
• Build Skills for AI Adoption: Gain insights into specific skill sets required to effectively manage AI-driven projects, including data literacy, understanding of AI capabilities, and the ability to critically assess AI recommendations.
• Balance AI and Human Decision-Making: Discuss the importance of maintaining a balance between automated solutions, human intuition, and human experience, ensuring that AI complements rather than replaces the critical thinking skills of project managers.
• Discuss Ethical Considerations and Advocacy: Understand the ethical implications of AI in project management, including bias, transparency, and accountability, and learn how to advocate for ethical AI use within project management.
• Discover Actionable Steps for AI Empowerment: Provide participants with a toolkit of actionable steps to start using AI tools effectively, including selecting the right tools, setting up pilot projects, and evaluating AI outcomes to demonstrate value to stakeholders.

PDUs:

0.5 (Ways of Working)

0.5 (Business Acumen)

Agenda:

7:00 PM - Welcome
7:05 PM - Presentation
7:50 PM - Q&A
8:00 PM - Closing
8:10 PM - Conclude

Registration Deadline:

Registration closes on Wednesday May 14th 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

Fees:

(Subject to HST)

PMI Toronto Members (login prior to registering): $10.00

Non-Members and Guests: $30.00

Presenter:

Mashhood Ahmed:

Mashhood Ahmed started his research into AI and Project Management in 2017, since then he has spoken around the world, from New Zealand to Singapore, Africa to North America, at various conferences, and global events. In 2024, Mashhood was recognized by PMI Top Influencer for AI 2024, The Digital Project Manager Top Influencer 2024 and NimbleWorks Top Influencer 2025.

Since 2023, he has spoken at over 50 events sharing his research, knowledge and expertise with over 50,000 project managers around the globe. He is one of the most sought-after keynote speaker, AI masterclass trainer and panelist.

Mashhood has over 20 years of project-program management experience leading multi-million-dollar projects around the globe. Currently, he runs a boutique consulting firm in Edmonton, Canada, and is founding director of PMassistant.ai where he is leading a team to design and develop next generation project management solutions leveraging AI.

Mashhood holds a Master’s degree from the University of Waterloo, along with PMP, PMI-RMP, SAFe Agilist, CISA, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, ITIL and various other industry certifications. He also teaches at Grant MacEwan University and volunteers his time for PMI and ISACA for various initiatives.