AI-Powered Project Management in the Modern Organization​

Presenter: Professor Yael Grushka-Cockayne

• Landmark Communication Professor of Business Administration
• Vice Dean and Senior Associate Dean of the Full-Time MBA; University of Virginia Darden School of Business;
• Academic Co-Director, LaCross Institute for Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Business;
• PMI 2025 Linn Stuckenbruck Teaching Excellence Award

About the Speaker
Professor Grushka-Cockayne has published extensively on forecasting, project portfolio management, and behavioral decision-making in high-stakes environments. She has taught over 350,000 students worldwide through Coursera MOOCs on project planning and management, and serves as a strategic advisor to Fortune 500 companies, aerospace firms, pharmaceutical organizations, and government agencies on project management excellence.

She is a leading advocate for ethical AI in business and was instrumental in establishing the University of Virginia's LaCross Institute for Ethical AI. Her recent projects focus on integrating data science and AI tools into executive education and MBA curricula, with particular emphasis on how AI can reduce uncertainty while preserving human judgment and organizational values.

Program Overview:
As organizations face unprecedented complexity and uncertainty, artificial intelligence and machine learning are fundamentally reshaping how projects are planned, executed, and managed. This presentation will explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI and project management, drawing from research at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

Join Professor Yael Grushka-Cockayne, a leading expert in forecasting, decision science, and the application of data analytics to project management, as she leads a discussion on:

• AI-Enhanced Forecasting & Planning: How machine learning is reducing uncertainty in project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation by analyzing historical data and identifying risk patterns that human planners might miss
• Decision Science in Project Selection: The role of AI in strategic project portfolio management, helping executives make better decisions about which projects to pursue, resource allocation, and risk mitigation
• Behavioral Insights & AI Integration: Understanding how human judgment, cognitive biases, and AI-assisted tools work together (and sometimes conflict) in real-world project environments
• Practical AI Tools for Project Managers: Emerging technologies and frameworks that enable project managers to leverage AI for improved planning, stakeholder communication, and execution monitoring
• Ethical Considerations; Responsible AI implementation in project management, including accountability, transparency, and the human-centered approach to project execution in an AI-augmented world

This session is designed for project managers, program leaders, executives, IT leaders, and professionals at all levels who want to understand how to harness AI to improve project outcomes while maintaining ethical leadership practices.

Call to Action for Registration
Join us for an evening of professional development and networking as we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming modern project management. Whether you're managing technology initiatives, organizational transformation projects, or enterprise programs, this session will equip you with insights and frameworks to leverage AI tools responsibly and effectively. Space is limited—register early to secure your spot!

PDUs Offered: 1.5 PDUs (pre-meeting session + presentation + networking)
Target Audience: Project Managers, Program Leaders, IT Directors/CIOs, Executives, PMPs, and professionals seeking to advance project management skills and understand AI applications
Event Type: Business Acumen / Emerging Technologies & Digital Transformation
Ideal Audience:

• PMP/CAPM candidates and certified project management professional
• Students and Faculty
• Product managers seeking to strengthen execution capabilities
• Project managers transitioning to product-focused roles or organizations
• Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Agile practitioners
• Business Analysts and Program Managers
• Community members looking to network

Location:
Darden School of Business, Classroom 120, Charlottesville, VA, 22903

• Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
• PMI Talent Triangle Category: Business Acumen
• Light snacks and drinks
• Cost : $5 PMICVC Members, Students and Non Members

Parking information will be sent to registrants 24 hours before the event
SCHEDULE

• 6:00 - 6:30 Networking
• 6:30​ - 6:45 Announcements
• 6:45 - 7:45 Presentation and Q&A
• 7:45 - 8:00 Door Prizes and Wrap-up

Payment Information:
REGISTER AND SIGN UP ON THE PMICVC SITE
(RSVPs DO NOT COUNT FOR REGISTRATION)