As artificial intelligence reshapes how work gets done, project management is often cited as a role at risk of automation. Scheduling, reporting and tracking, long core responsibilities of project managers, are exactly the kinds of tasks AI excels at. But according to Steven DelGrosso, an expert in engineering leadership and project management at NC State University, that concern misses the bigger picture.

“Contrary to what many pundits argue about AI reducing project opportunities, AI will expand project manager roles beyond planning and controlling projects to a more Strategic Leadership and ‘systems thinking’ position in organizations,” DelGrosso says.

Rather than shrinking the profession, AI is changing it, pushing project managers into more influential, higher-value roles.

From Administration to Strategy

Historically, project managers have spent much of their time maintaining schedules, updating reports and monitoring progress. AI is now absorbing much of that routine work.

“With AI augmenting human decision-making and handling scheduling, reporting and tracking routines, PMs will have more time to focus on strategy development, stakeholder engagement and business-value issues,” DelGrosso explains.

This shift allows project managers to step back and see the bigger picture, how projects connect to organizational goals, customer needs and long-term strategy. As a result, their role becomes less about managing tasks and more about guiding outcomes.

AI as an Enabler of Better Judgment

A common fear surrounding AI is that it will replace human judgment. DelGrosso sees the opposite happening in project environments.

“Automating some of a Project Manager’s more administrative tasks will free up time for the PM to better analyze the strategic and business impacts of their projects,” he says.

AI can rapidly analyze past project data, test scenarios, and update plans in real time. But interpreting those insights, and deciding how to act on them, still requires human judgment. AI becomes a decision-support partner rather than a decision-maker.

This partnership allows project managers to focus on tradeoffs, risks and organizational dynamics that technology alone cannot resolve.

A More Valuable Role for Organizations

As project managers become more strategic, their value to organizations increases. DelGrosso believes this will significantly improve how the role is perceived.

“The organizational view of project managers will become even more positive as PMs become more productive and can more directly impact business outcomes,” he says.

AI also enables access to broader business data, allowing project leaders to move beyond traditional metrics like schedule and cost.

“The typical project reporting KPIs will be augmented by more business-impacting status indicators that rely on access to more business-related data sets,” DelGrosso notes.

This evolution positions project managers closer to executive decision-making, where projects are evaluated not just on delivery, but on measurable business impact.

Why Human Skills Matter More Than Ever

As AI takes over technical and analytical tasks, human skills become even more critical. DelGrosso emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence alongside data literacy.

“Engineering leaders will need to leverage data interpretation skills and increase their ‘emotional agility’ to make better organizational decisions,” he explains.

Leading teams through change, resolving conflict and earning stakeholder trust are areas where humans still outperform machines. Project managers who combine AI-driven insights with strong interpersonal skills will be best equipped to lead in complex environments.

Preparing Leaders for an AI-Driven Future

DelGrosso points to the Project Management Institute’s Talent Triangle as a framework for preparing future leaders, balancing technical expertise, power skills and business acumen. This balance is essential as organizations increasingly rely on projects to deliver both operational improvements and transformation.

Looking ahead, DelGrosso is optimistic about what AI-enabled project management means for engineering leadership.

“I believe technical project managers and engineering managers…are best positioned to take full advantage of the productivity and efficiency that AI tools will bring to bear on industrial processes and workplace environments,” he says.

In a world where nearly every industry is project-driven, AI is not diminishing the role of project managers, it’s amplifying it.

“Engineering leaders are uniquely positioned to leverage a balance of technical prowess and emotional intelligence; those who do this best will be the leaders in their industry,” DelGrosso concludes.

About the Expert

Steven DelGrosso is an experienced engineering leadership and project management expert with deep expertise in guiding organizations through technological and operational change. His work focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, project delivery and engineering management, with an emphasis on strategic leadership, systems thinking, and business impact. He is a strong advocate for balancing advanced technical tools with emotional intelligence to prepare leaders for an AI-driven future.