AI-Powered Project Management: Transforming Planning, Forecasting, and Execution in the Modern Organization

Business Acumen
 

AI-Powered Project Management: Transforming Planning, Forecasting, and Execution in the Modern Organization​

PMICVC_Professor-Grushka-Cockayne_12Feb-Event.jpeg

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

Outcome for Participants:

  • Attendees will walk away with the role of AI in project, program and  portfolio management,
  • Behavioral Insights & AI Integrationand, Practical AI Tools for Project Managers:and Ethical Considerations

 

Location: 

Darden School of Business, Classroom 120

100 Darden Blvd, Charlottesville, VA, 22903

  • Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
  • Capacity: 60 
  • PMI Talent Triangle Category:  Business Acumen
  • Light hors d'oeuvres
  • Cost : $5 PMICVC Members, $10 Non-Members

Parking information will be sent to registrants

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:

  • To Pay By Credit or Debit Card, please click the Yellow PayPal button at Check Out.  Then choose the Pay By Credit Card Link.  You must be signed out of your PayPal account. 
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Information

Type of category: Charlottesville

Type of activity: Business Acumen

Date: February 12th, 2026

Hour: 6:00PM to 8:00PM

Registration close date: February 12th, 2026 at 6:30PM

Number of PDUs: 1.5

Price

Members: $5.00

Non members: $10.00

Location

Darden School of Business

Classroom 120
Charlottesville, VA, 22903