Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the biggest shake-ups the fast-moving technology sector has ever seen. AI is transforming industries around the globe—healthcare, manufacturing, law enforcement, travel, and more.
As AI integration continues at an ever-quicker pace, project managers (PMs) now find themselves the caretakers not only of their teams but also of the AI technologies that they use and that threaten their security.
To lead effectively, PMs must adapt by acquiring new skills—not only technical skills but also strategic and interpersonal skills. The following list can help you beef up your AI skills resume.
Since we’re focusing on tech leadership in an AI-powered environment, it should come as no surprise that familiarity with AI tools and technologies should be the first priority. You don’t need a degree in AI engineering, but you should understand core terms like data analytics, natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), cloud platforms, Python, and TensorFlow.
The degree to which you have to use AI technologies yourself or instruct others in their use will vary depending on your industry, department, and project parameters. However, you may also want to familiarize yourself with additional terms so that you can choose the right person for the job when needed. Who would be your best candidate for “data labeling,” “ML frameworks,” “AI ethics,” or “AI model development”? Do your research so that you can determine which team members or potential hires have the combined technical expertise and ethical mindset to accomplish responsible AI development.
The ethics of AI are still a matter of philosophical debate, but it is nonetheless increasingly used in security, police, and military applications. For example, facial recognition is employed at some airports and other venues. Predictive policing, automated threat detection, and drone surveillance are just some of the potential applications.
However, the use of the technology in this way raises serious concerns about ethics, privacy, and bias. PMs, therefore, must be firmly grounded in ethical leadership principles to ensure their teams develop or use technology responsibly. They should also be familiar with pertinent legal frameworks in order to ensure compliance.
Increasingly, digital security requires managers to face “when” rather than “if” scenarios. This is especially true when your work includes large datasets and connections to multiple platforms.
Just as you’re using AI to get your work done, criminals are using it for theirs. With the help of AI, cybercriminals can craft convincing scams at scale and even use AI bots to deploy them.
In this environment, it is important that your leadership involve an emphasis on cybersecurity awareness. Educate your team about the potential threats and how to recognize them. Establish a framework of protocols for securing data—for instance, access controls, encryption protocols, and multi-factor authentication—as well as for reporting potential breaches. Make sure your team feels comfortable reporting threats; they should not worry that they will “get in trouble” or be blamed when activating the prescribed reporting channels.
As already mentioned, AI technologies are evolving at such a rate that it is difficult for users to keep up. Your projects may require experimentation, or they may need to adjust to economic shifts or changing consumer demands.
You can set an example in agile project management. Cultivate a learning-oriented culture; set the bar high by attending classes or workshops yourself or engaging in other forms of self-education. Don’t punish failed attempts; guide your team in learning from them. And remember, you don’t have to come up with it all yourself—lean into agile methodologies like Kanban or Scrum.
Workplaces have long been known to house rivalries, romances, and other emotional interactions. Managing these effectively is the key to having an efficient and contented team. But in the age of AI, new fears and frustrations can cloud the office—resistance to change, fear of job displacement, or feelings of inadequacy, for example.
A strong emotional intelligence (EQ) can help you ride and calm these waves. Pay attention to what your team says as well as their nonverbal cues. Communicate well to allay fears. Implement training programs to help upskill your employees, and cultivate open feedback loops to address their concerns.
Taken together, these strategies will help your team embrace AI rather than viewing it as a threat. They will also enjoy a more communicative, collaborative, and friendly relationship that is conducive to innovation.
Leading today’s tech teams requires a strong suite of interpersonal, business strategy, and technical skills. You can start by educating yourself and, at the same time setting a beneficial example for your team. Then, turn your attention to them, training them and establishing clear and comfortable lines of communication. You can help your team learn to adapt to technological changes and even use it to their collective advantage.
