In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch speaks with Dave Prior, project management consultant, longtime PMI volunteer, host of DrunkenPM Radio, and PMI-CPMAI certified practitioner.

Dave shares his journey from resisting Agile to embracing it and now confronting AI with similar skepticism before finding clarity through the PMI-CPMAI certification. He explains how the methodology helps overcome fear by grounding AI projects in business value, data discipline, and iterative reassessment.

Listeners will hear how the PMI-CPMAI certification helps align stakeholders, why retraining prevents model drift, and how augmented intelligence enables storytelling, creativity, and stakeholder trust.

You’ll gain insights on:

• How continuous reassessment manages drift and fast changing conditions
• What mindset shifts help project managers see AI as a partner
• How Agile + CPMAI blend iteration with structure for success

Practical, honest, and rich with real-world lessons, this episode is valuable for project managers, AI practitioners, and leaders navigating the ambiguity of AI transformation while striving to create humane, creative workplaces.

Kathleen Walch speaks with Jürgen Eckhart, Engineering Program Manager at Google in Munich, lecturer in project management, and PMI-CPMAI certified practitioner. Jürgen shares how CPMAI expanded his “toolbox” for managing AI projects, grounding them in business value, quality data, and realistic stakeholder expectations.

He explains why AI must be treated as iterative and probabilistic, not deterministic “magic,” and how project managers can shift from delivery to discovery—offloading routine tasks to AI while focusing on orchestration, collaboration, and trust. Jürgen likens today’s AI era to the “fax machine state,” a transitional phase in which AI is already relieving administrative burdens, yet its ultimate potential is still unfolding.

You’ll gain insights on:

• Why project management foundations matter for AI success
• How CPMAI enables continuous reassessment in fast-changing environments
• What practical methods integrate AI into daily workflows, from meeting notes to coding support
• How to balance automation and creativity in stakeholder management
• How ethical standards and frameworks build trust in AI adoption

Jürgen also reflects on misconceptions fueled by hype, shares real-world use cases like AI-assisted SQL scripting and portfolio reporting, and emphasizes the importance of ethics as AI accelerates global problem-solving. Practical and inspiring, this episode is a must-listen for project managers, AI practitioners, and leaders ready to strengthen their foundations and harness AI responsibly.

Kathleen Walch speaks with Vinay Babu Tarala, Agile and AI Transformation Leader at AT&T, PMI Pearl City Hyderabad Chapter General Secretary, and author of AI Meets Agile. With passion and candor, Vinay shares how early AI project failures led him to PMI-CPMAI certification, transforming his approach to managing AI initiatives.

He illustrates how CPMAI’s structured framework reduced software development cycle times from 2.5 months to 1.5 months by embedding AI across the SDLC—from user story creation to coding and testing. Vinay emphasizes that success comes not from chasing tools, but from solving real business problems with quality data and strong governance.

You’ll gain insights on:

• Why AI projects fail without a structured methodology
• How CPMAI enables measurable outcomes and cycle-time reduction
• Why AI is probabilistic, iterative, and experimental—not deterministic “magic”
• How project managers must shift from delivery to discovery, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and a common language
• Practical steps for project managers to start using AI in daily workflows

Vinay also tackles misconceptions about AI, the rise of agentic workflows, and why human creativity and critical thinking remain irreplaceable. Practical and inspiring, this episode is a must-listen for project managers, AI practitioners, and leaders ready to move beyond hype and harness AI as a transformative force in project management.