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AI Won’t Replace Project Managers — But Project Managers Using AI Will

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Author: Claire CHIN, PMP

Less theory. Less hype. More practical AI you can actually use on Monday morning.

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere today. We hear about it constantly. But many project professionals are still asking the same question: 

“How do I actually use this in my daily project work?”

On Saturday 20 June 2026, PMI Switzerland invites you to join a unique in-person AI Masterclass in Basel focused on practical application for project managers, PMO professionals, and programme leaders.

This is not a beginner awareness session or another theoretical conference talk. It is a highly interactive working session designed for professionals who have already started experimenting with AI and now want to move beyond scattered prompting into more structured, practical, and valuable usage.

The day is built around six intensive one-hour sprints — giving participants more than six hours of practical hands-on labs using AI across realistic project management situations.

Together with AI expert Florian Ivan, participants will explore how AI can support activities such as:

  • project structuring and planning
  • stakeholder communication and reporting
  • meeting preparation and summarisation
  • requirement drafting and refinement
  • risk analysis, blind spot identification, and scenario modelling
  • productivity and workflow optimisation
  • keeping projects on track when reality deviates from plan

The masterclass will also address important topics such as governance, hallucinations, human oversight, and responsible use of AI in professional project environments. Participants will experience how different AI tools perform in real project situations and learn practical techniques, reusable prompts, and new ways
to organise and accelerate daily PM work.

The goal is simple, to help project professionals better understand where AI creates real value, where its limitations are, and how to use it effectively and responsibly in daily work.

This masterclass is also about learning from each other. AI adoption looks different across organisations, industries, and teams. The day offers a chance to exchange experiences, challenge ideas, network with peers, and discover practical approaches you can immediately start applying in your own environment. 

Yes, joining a full Saturday masterclass requires commitment. But developing practical AI capabilities is increasingly becoming an investment in ourselves and in the future relevance of our professional skills.

The event takes place in person in Basel, just a short walk from Basel SBB station, with a small interactive group to allow hands-on exchange throughout the day. We warmly welcome both PMI members and non-members interested in strengthening their practical AI capabilities in project
management.

For more information and registration please go to: https://pmi-switzerland.ch/events/pmi-master-class/2026-06-20-ai-masterclass-basel.

Authored by Claire CHIN, PMP

Editorial - PMI Switzerland Newsletter, May 2026

 

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Author: Philip SPRINGUEL, PMP

 

Dear members and colleagues,

Your PMI Switzerland newsletter this month features an article discussing AI implementation in projects, in which author Gianmarco Sirei warns that AI systems are not self-governing and cannot be relied on to behave correctly! Read this article to understand why project management is critical to turning technical capability into reliable and scalable outcomes.

Also in this newsletter, read PMI volunteer Maja Mandic’s post-event report about the first Project Managers Networking Apéro in St. Gallen held this past 23 April. The event welcomed professionals not only from St. Gallen, but also from Liechtenstein, Chur, and the wider region.

We're pleased as usual in our newsletters, to highlight several new members joining our PMI Switzerland community. 

Read on to review upcoming opportunities to network and develop crucial skills, such as: Matt Lanfear’s workshop on how to thrive in times of uncertainty, scheduled for 27 May in Zurich; Christine Petersen’s 22 June interactive session in Zurich about ‘influence,’ building on Cialdini’s seven principles; and, don’t forget the PMI Masterclass on 4 July presented by Camille Caclin, Mastering Crisis: A Systemic and Human Approach to Project Leadership, also in Zurich.

Philip SPRINGUEL, Newsletter Copy Editor

Mastering Crisis: A Systemic and Human Approach to Project Leadership

 

Author: Ethel Mendocilla Sato, PMP

 

Do not miss our next PMI Masterclass on July 4th 2026!

Mastering Crisis: A Systemic and Human Approach to Project Leadership
Led by Camille Caclin, Founder of Sparkli & Systemic Project Coach™

In the heat of a project crisis, technical skills alone are not enough. True leadership demands self-awareness, relational agility, and systemic insight - the ability to navigate human dynamics and complex interactions with confidence.

Join Camille Caclin, a seasoned digital transformation and organizational change consultant with 18 years of experience in pharma, biotech, and global business systems. As the creator of the Systemic Project Coach™ framework, Camille will guide you through:

  • Self-leadership: Managing stress and emotions to stay decisive under pressure.
  • Relational agility: Using coaching techniques to prevent conflict and foster collaboration.
  • Systemic thinking: Mapping stakeholder dynamics to identify leverage points and reduce resistance.
  • Structuring complexity: Making sense of uncertainty and interdependencies in real time.

This PMI Masterclass blends experiential exercises, practical tools, and cross-disciplinary frameworks to help you lead projects - not just as a task manager, but as a systemic leader who anticipates tension, strengthens engagement, and drives results.

Are you ready to lead with clarity and impact?
Register now  https://pmi-switzerland.ch/events/pmi-master-class/2025-07-04-masterclass-zh and transform how you navigate crisis.




Ready to Lead Through Uncertainty? Join Us on 27 May

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Author: Maja Mandic

 

Join Us for Our Next PMI Switzerland Workshop: Navigating Change with Confidence

As Swiss organisations continue to transform at high speed, Project Managers are being asked to do more than deliver projects - they are expected to guide teams through uncertainty, lead with clarity, and stay resilient in the face of constant change.

Our upcoming interactive workshop, Navigating Change: How to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty as a Project Manager, is designed exactly for this moment.

On 27 May, the Swiss PM community will come together at SIX Convention Point for a hands-on learning experience that blends practical tools and peer exchange. If you’re looking to strengthen your leadership, sharpen your adaptability, and connect with fellow PMs facing similar challenges, this session is for you.

Why You Should Join

This workshop offers a focused space to explore:

  • Change Agility - navigating ambiguity with confidence
  • Resilience & Wellbeing - sustaining performance without burning out
  • Leadership Behaviours - showing up as a steady, credible leader during transformation

Rather than theory, you’ll gain insights grounded in real experiences from Project Managers across Switzerland - and walk away with concrete actions you can apply immediately.

What You’ll Take With You

  • Clarity on how to lead effectively through uncertainty
  • Practical steps to strengthen resilience and personal leadership
  • New connections within the Swiss PM community

A warm thank-you goes to the SIX PM Community and SIX Group for generously sponsoring the venue and supporting this high-impact learning experience.

Meet Your Facilitator

The session will be led by Matt Lanfear, PhD, Executive Coach and long-time PMI Switzerland member. With deep experience in business transformation, leadership coaching, and organisational change across global industries, Matt brings a unique blend of strategic insight and human-centred coaching.

Secure Your Spot

If you’re ready to invest in your growth and join a community of peers navigating similar challenges, we warmly invite you to register.

https://pmi-switzerland.ch/events/pmi-evening-event/2026-05-27-event-zurich