A new report from Project Management Institute (PMI) has revealed how generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping project-based work across industries. The Project Professional’s GenAI Journey: From Quick Wins to Leading the Transformation draws on a global survey of 2,000 project professionals across 12 countries and 18 industry sectors.
It shows that project professionals who use GenAI in over 50% of their projects, referred to as “Trailblazers” in the study, are 16 times more likely to achieve advanced productivity gains than those still experimenting with GenAI on a limited scale. In fact, 27% of project professionals report GenAI already impacts over half their work, and nearly half (46%) expect this level of impact to grow significantly over the next five years.
Sharing his thoughts on the report, Amit Goyal, Managing Director for South Asia at PMI, says, “The GenAI report findings emphasize that this is more than just a tool for automating tasks—it sparks innovation in project management. GenAI is poised to revolutionize the project management space, driving efficiency and innovation crucial for achieving the nation’s ambitious growth targets. From optimizing infrastructure development and boosting manufacturing competitiveness to transforming agriculture and accelerating digital transformation, GenAI offers unprecedented capabilities. By analysing vast datasets, automating tasks, and enhancing decision-making, it empowers project managers to navigate complexities and deliver impactful results. While challenges like data availability, skills gaps, and ethical considerations exist, embracing GenAI responsibly is the key to unlocking India’s potential and building a brighter future. This report is pointing us in the right direction of potential and new horizons of working.”
The report underscores that success with GenAI requires more than access to tools—it depends on two factors: preparedness and initiative. Preparedness refers to having the right technical skills and domain expertise; initiative means embracing a learning mindset and experimenting with new tools and techniques.
Organizational support also plays a defining role. Peak organizations—those with strong AI education, governance, and support structures—are far more likely to report advanced GenAI adoption (41%) and productivity gains (46%). In contrast, organizations still in the early stages of support see just 8% and 5% respectively.
This is the third instalment in the global GenAI research series by PMI, and it makes one thing clear: GenAI is not a future trend—it’s a present-day differentiator. Project professionals and organizations alike must invest in the skills, systems, and strategies needed to lead the transformation.
