S9E20425 August 2025

S9E204: AI Revolution in Project Management with Lawrence Rowland

S9E204

S9E204: AI Revolution in Project Management with Lawrence Rowland

0:000:00
100%

In this episode, the hosts delve into the transformative role of AI in project management, discussing its evolution, practical applications, and the challenges of adoption. They explore the emergence of AI agents, their impact on consulting, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI integration in the workplace. The conversation also touches on the future of work, organisational changes, and the potential breakthroughs that AI may bring to the industry. In this engaging conversation, the speakers explore the interplay between knowledge, AI, and human experience. They discuss the importance of sharing knowledge, the balance between technology and human interaction, and the potential for AI to enhance project management. The dialogue also delves into philosophical perspectives on AI, the future of work, and the role of education in bridging the gap between technology and human understanding. The speakers emphasise the need for experimentation, collaboration, and a human-centric approach to technology, ultimately advocating for a fun and exploratory mindset in navigating the evolving landscape of AI.

Takeaways

  • People often feel stiffed by societal advances.
  • Experimentation is key in understanding AI's capabilities.
  • Building in public fosters confidence and knowledge sharing.
  • AI should give us more time for human interaction.
  • The transition to AI will be challenging for many.
  • Humans often get in the way of technological progress.
  • Education systems are struggling to adapt to AI.
  • Generative models in AI mirror human intelligence.
  • The meaning of life is not limited to intelligence.

Guest

Lawrence Rowland

Lawrence Rowland

Project Tech Advisory at Projecting Success (advisory role)

Lawrence helps companies to apply AI to practical project use cases and not get left behind. He works with Projecting Success on their innovation track. He has an engineering, projects, portfolio and consulting background, having worked at Motts, WSP, Bechtel, Booz Allen, CPC and Pcubed, working across Infrastructure, Transport, Government, Energy & manufacturing sectors. He's just an enthusiastic amateur when it comes to AI, teaching himself since 2017, which proves anyone can do it. He lives in the UK and walks hills and reads novels in his spare time. He posts a project AI prompt daily on LinkedIn.

Connect

Related Episodes

More conversations on similar topics

S9E208

S9E208: Blockchain and Carbon: The Future of Project Management with Kevin O'Grady

In this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, Val and Dale welcome Kevin O'Grady, a director at Cognitive, who shares his extensive experience in project management, particularly in the built environment. The conversation delves into the practical applications of blockchain technology in construction, the importance of carbon tracking, and the emerging role of sustainable aviation fuel. Kevin provides insights into how these technologies can enhance project delivery and efficiency, while also discussing the challenges and opportunities they present. The episode emphasizes the need for transparency and collaboration in the industry, as well as the importance of measuring and improving carbon emissions. Takeaways Kevin O'Grady has a diverse background in project management and engineering. Blockchain can enhance transparency and trust in project delivery. Carbon tracking is essential for sustainable project management. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is gaining traction but faces infrastructure challenges. AI can play a significant role in tracking project progress and carbon emissions. Collaboration among stakeholders is crucial for successful project outcomes. The construction industry needs to adapt to new technologies for better efficiency. Measuring carbon emissions is vital for improving sustainability in projects. Project wallets could revolutionize payment transparency in construction. Innovation in the industry is driven by the need for better practices and technologies. Chapters 04:24 Kevin O'Grady's Journey in Project Management 07:33 Transitioning from Engineering to Commercial Management 09:21 Technological Innovations in Project Management 13:12 The Role of Digital Twins in Project Delivery 17:20 Understanding Blockchain Technology 20:58 Blockchain Applications in Construction 27:43 Exploring Real-World Use Cases for Blockchain 30:23 Tokenization in Construction Payments 32:03 Linking Progress and Blockchain 34:54 Smart Contracts and Payment Automation 36:51 Challenges in Implementing Blockchain 39:42 The Role of Profit Margins in Construction 43:03 Carbon Measurement and Blockchain 43:32 Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Its Challenges

Listen Now
S8E176

S8E176: ChatGPT Plus for Projects with Lawrence Rowland

Lawrence Rowland discusses the potential of ChatGPT and GPT in project management. He explains the differences between ChatGPT and GPT, highlighting the benefits of ChatGPT+ and the GPT Builder. Lawrence emphasises the importance of early adoption and experimentation with GPTs, as well as the need for entry-level tools to encourage wider adoption. He explores the role of GPTs in enhancing communication and information flow in project teams, and the potential for GPTs to disrupt and expedite various aspects of project management. Lawrence also discusses the upcoming ChatGPT Store and the possibilities of sharing and testing GPT use cases. He encourages project professionals to embrace the creativity and imagination enabled by GPTs and emphasises the importance of learning and exploring the capabilities of these models. The conversation explores the democratisation of projects and the changing role of project managers in the context of AI implementation. It discusses the flywheel effect of AI implementation and the potential impact on project success rates. The conversation also touches on ethics, education, alignment, and control issues related to AI. It highlights the importance of transparency and accuracy in AI projects and the need for ongoing discussions in society. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future modes of AI interaction and their impact on the physical world. Takeaways ChatGPT and GPT offer low-code or no-code environments for project professionals to experiment and apply AI in their work. Early adoption of GPTs can help address resource scarcity and skill set challenges in project management. GPTs have the potential to enhance communication and information flow in project teams, enabling faster decision-making and problem-solving. The upcoming ChatGPT Store will provide a platform for sharing and accessing public GPTs, fostering collaboration and innovation in project management. Project professionals should start with the hardest questions when using GPTs and be open to exploring the capabilities and limitations of these models. AI implementation is increasing the democratisation of projects, allowing a broader range of people to run projects at different scales. The role of project managers is changing as AI takes on more implementation tasks, requiring project managers to focus on decision-making and conflict resolution. The flywheel effect of AI implementation leads to more data on project success and failure, improving the overall success rate of projects done through AI. Ethical considerations and education are important factors to address in the context of AI implementation. Transparency and accuracy in AI projects are crucial, and different approaches to AI centralization and decentralisation may impact these factors. Ongoing discussions and societal awareness are necessary to navigate the impact of AI on businesses and society. Future modes of AI interaction, such as video integration and task-based models, will further impact project management and the physical w Proudly Sponsored by Deltek

Listen Now
S8E184

S8E184: Carbon, Cash, and Machines with Andrew Langridge

In this episode, the hosts and guest Andrew Langridge discuss the importance of estimating and tracking carbon in construction projects. Andrew shares his background in estimating and explains the challenges and complexities of estimating carbon. He emphasizes the need for accurate data and tools to estimate carbon and suggests that legislation is necessary to drive change. The conversation also touches on the role of education in creating a culture of carbon tracking and the potential for incentivising carbon reduction in contracts. Overall, the episode highlights the importance of measuring and controlling carbon in projects and the need for industry-wide collaboration. In this conversation, Dale, Val, Martin, and guest Andrew Langridge discuss the role of AI and machine learning in addressing the indirect impacts of carbon emissions. They explore the challenges of calculating carbon emissions throughout the supply chain and the potential for AI to assist in this process. They also discuss the concept of a circular economy and the need for new roles and skills in sustainability and project management. The conversation touches on the limitations of AI and the importance of critical thinking and curiosity in the face of technological advancements. Sponsored by Detlek

Listen Now

Enjoyed this episode?

Subscribe to never miss a conversation with project experts