In the ranking of countries optimistic about the potential of AI to benefit the economy and the labor market, Brazil is the most enthusiastic Latin American country about this advancement. According to this year's Stanford University "Artificial Intelligence Index" research, most Brazilians view products and services with technology positively. However, the country still invests little in the training of professionals and the development of local startups, which contrasts with the positive view of the population.
As the leading global authority on project management, the latest report from the Project Management Institute (PMI), “First mover advantage: The immediate benefits of adopting generative AI for project management", emphasizes the importance of training and capacity building for Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to be implemented in a productive and effective manner within organizations.
According to the report data, one in five professionals already use GenAI in more than 50% of their projects. "Adopting GenAI is more than just adopting a new technology; it is catalyzing organizational transformation," says Hellen Almeida, Head of Markets at PMI Latin America. "By understanding the impact of GenAI on individual performance and the key factors driving adoption, we can promote greater implementation across the project management community," she added.
Although investments are growing, the other report, released by the Artificial Intelligence Index, indicates that they remain concentrated in industries in North America, Asia, and Europe. In contrast, Latin America, except for Brazil, does not appear in the ranking of research for the creation of national startups in the AI field.
In Latin America, training and capacity building of teams are now the pillars of a revolutionary change in project management through the adoption of GenAI. This approach not only increases operational efficiency but also fosters a culture of innovation and continuous learning, positioning organizations at the forefront of global competitiveness.
Brazil, with its palpable enthusiasm for AI, remains a beacon of potential in this landscape. Despite the challenges in professional training and the development of the startup ecosystem, there is an unprecedented opportunity. By strategically investing in comprehensive organizational training, companies can unlock a powerful differentiator that transcends traditional project management paradigms.
Dominating at GenAI
A recent McKinsey survey provides crucial insights into the transformation of GenAI, highlighting the urgent need for companies to adapt and for professionals to improve their skills.
The research identified four groups impacted by GenAI:
- Creators (2%): Those who directly build GenAI tools and interfaces;
- Heavy users (8%): Professionals such as designers and data scientists who use GenAI for most tasks;
- Light users (18%): Workers such as managers and educators who use GenAI for less than half of their tasks;
- Potential users (70%): Those who do not yet use GenAI but are likely to become users soon.
With GenAI designed to automate up to 30% of activities across all professions by 2030, its adoption is becoming critical to maintain competitiveness and efficiency. This shift also emphasizes the growing importance of "power skills," such as problem-solving, active listening, and emotional intelligence, over traditional technical skills.
Embracing GenAI isn’t just about staying current, it’s about future-proofing businesses and careers in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Essential Skills Required for GenIA Adoption and Implementation
At the forefront of technological transformation is immediate engineering – a skill that has quickly become the cornerstone of effective GenAI implementation.
Recognizing this trend, PMI not only emphasizes the urgent need for professionals in sectors with low adoption of GenAI to develop this competence but also plans to issue sector-specific GenAI alerts. These resources aim to support project professionals in obtaining higher quality answers and enhancing their overall experience with GenAI.
"Immediate engineering is just the beginning. It is the entry skill that unlocks the potential of GenAI in project management and much more. We are seeing a fascinating progression in how professionals approach GenAI. Those new to the technology typically focus on automating simple tasks – a valuable first experience. However, as understanding deepens, we see a shift towards leveraging GenAI for more complex challenges, such as risk management and strategic decision-making," shared Helen.
This progression reflects a broader trend in the integration of AI technologies into project management workflows. As GenAI tools become more sophisticated and widely adopted, the skills needed to fully harness their potential evolve in parallel.
“Looking ahead, we envision a harmonious combination of technical proficiency and human-centric skills. As GenAI becomes an integral part of our workflows, powerful skills such as collaborative leadership, strategic thinking and effective communication will become indispensable. These skills, combined with GenAI’s expertise, will define the next generation of project management excellence,” concluded Almeida.
