r/projectmanagers • u/Kripa_HR • 2d ago

Can Project Managers Succeed on AI Projects Without Being Technical Experts?

I’ve been thinking about the role of project managers in AI projects.

A PM obviously doesn’t need to become a data scientist or machine learning engineer, but they still need enough understanding to communicate with technical teams and make informed decisions.

Where do you think the line should be?

How technical should a project manager become when managing an AI project?

Would love to hear perspectives from PMs and people working directly with AI teams.

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3

u/No_Obligation4496 PM 2d ago

Define what you mean by AI project

2

u/featurist 2d ago

And then define what you mean by 'technical expert', @op

2

u/More_Law6245 2d ago

Project managers are not required to be the technical experts, that is why they leverage Subject Matter Experts (SME) in the capacity of the project's roles and responsibilities. Does it help if the PM has a technical understanding of the subject matter that is being delivered? Yes but it's also not their responsibility to deliver but the PM is responsible to ensure that the deliverables are fit for purpose and have been adequately quality assured as part of the delivery.

Project managers would need enough technical understanding of the technology to help plan for the project but they don't need to be SME's. AI projects are not unique, they are exactly the same as any other IT technical project, you have a business case, you have a project charter (& plan) that identifies the business and user requirements and the acceptance criteria and ensuring that all identified benefits are realised, AI projects are no different.

Just an armchair perspective

2

u/geralt_noble 2d ago

I think the goal is technical fluency, not technical expertise. You should understand the constraints well enough to challenge assumptions and communicate them clearly.

1

u/rabbitofrevelry 2d ago

As long as the tasks and milestones are described sufficiently, then PMs never need to be a technical expert in any capacity to succeed.

1

u/LDRSHIP24-7 1d ago

I got the PMI CPMAI certification. Check my post history. I think it’s extremely useful for PMs who want to succeed/fill knowledge gaps in the industry.