Previewing Forthcoming PM/AI Book, Maltzman Anticipates Need for Human Leadership Skills

Technological leaps forward always bring change, but the prospect of change has never been greater than now, at the dawn of the proliferation of artificial intelligence in our society.

One arena that stands to be transformed considerably is the workplace, where AI could boost our productivity and efficiency tenfold. But one Metropolitan College expert in project management suggests that, in order to be fully leveraged, AI tools will need to be guided by project managers with the “power skills” that drive project success.

Rich Maltzman is a BU MET master lecturer with decades of project management experience, and he says the “power skills” in question encompass things like communication, problem solving, collaborative leadership, strategic thinking, relationship building, accountability, adaptability, discipline, and empathy, among others. Instead of being replaced by AI, he says, these traits will boost the capacity for AI to make an impact.

“Humans bring unique power skills, ethical considerations and uniquely human thinking to the table. And we think that can be amplified and augmented like a laser if we use AI properly,” he says.

Maltzman’s new book, which will be composed with three coauthors, will examine how humans and technology can compliment one another.

“To paraphrase our (upcoming) book, it’s not about incorporating AI into existing workflows or replacing human roles with machines, replacing humans with machines. It’s about fostering a dynamic and synchronized environment where AI and humans are harnessed together to drive project success,” Maltzman says.