How AI Is Changing the Way We Approach Work Projects

It’s easy to think of AI as a time-saver that streamlines workflows and accelerates output. But the deeper opportunity lies in how it’s reshaping the nature of work itself. A new study from Harvard Business School’s Manuel Hoffmann followed more than 50,000 developers over two years, with half using GitHub Copilot. The results were striking: developers shifted away from project management and toward the core work of coding. Not because someone told them to, but because AI made it possible. With less need for coordination, people worked more autonomously. And with time saved, they reinvested in exploration—learning, experimenting, trying new things. What we’re seeing here isn’t just productivity. It’s a shift in how work gets done and who does what. Managers may spend less time supervising and more time contributing directly. Teams become flatter. Hierarchies adapt. This is just one signal of how generative AI is changing our org charts and challenging us to rethink how we structure, support, and lead our teams. The future of work isn’t just faster. It’s more fluid. And if we get this right, it’s a whole lot more human. https://lnkd.in/gaUgXnRY

Most people assume the best way to use AI at work is to outsource tasks. But the biggest impact comes when we use AI to challenge us. We default to using AI for efficiency, like by delegating routine tasks. While this has its place, the real power of AI emerges when we use it as a thought partner, forcing us to think more critically, ask better questions, and elevate our decision-making. For example, I might need to have a difficult conversation with a vendor. I could tell ChatGPT what I really want to say, have it clean up my low-EQ draft, and simply send it. Alternatively, I could tell AI what I’m thinking and have it refine and guide me—offering suggestions for things to consider, such as starting the conversation by acknowledging aspects of the vendor’s work I appreciate, posing questions instead of making demands, and asking for the vendor’s help rather than assuming bad intent. When I use AI in this second mode, I might not save a few seconds right now, but I level up my game in the long run. Before AI, we had to do all the work ourselves, so we focused primarily on execution and meeting deadlines. Now, as we share the work with AI, we must take on new roles—question-asker, director/producer, critical thinker, and emotional actor—making us more curious, creative, and insightful about how things really work, both in the external world and in our own minds. AI doesn’t just make things easier; it makes us smarter. AI can introduce complexity and then explain it, expose us to new concepts and data, highlight where we may be wrong, push us to practice critical thinking and curiosity, and help us explore our own beliefs, behaviors, and theories of mind. As AI reshapes knowledge work, the real competitive edge will belong to those who embrace it as a partner in thinking—not just a shortcut for execution.

AI is reshaping not just what we build, but how we build. It was a big topic of conversation at my team’s recent town hall. We know AI has played a significant role in writing code. In fact, much of the code behind Visa Intelligent Commerce was generated by AI. But the real story is broader: AI is becoming a core competency for every function, not just engineering. I use AI daily—for synthesis, planning and speed. Whether I’m preparing for a meeting or exploring a new concept, AI helps me move faster and think more clearly. It’s replaced traditional search in my workflow and unlocked new levels of productivity. And I’m seeing the same across our teams. AI is reducing their time spent on repetitive tasks and redirecting that energy toward client engagement, problem solving and innovation. From developing design personas to writing developer documentation, we’re seeing time savings measured in weeks, not hours. Efficiency gains of 90+% not 10%. This isn’t about novelty—it’s necessity. The pace of innovation is accelerating, and it is time to sink or swim. The call to action is clear: every leader should be exploring and using AI to elevate their team’s impact today. Where are your biggest unlocks with AI?

I recently wrote that AI is not just a technology shift – it's a work shift. So, how does that play out? First, AI changes how we do tasks. Next, it changes how we do our jobs. Then, it changes entire functions. The result? A brand new way of getting work done and thinking about growth. Step 1: AI transforms tasks: AI works with you. It helps you do what you’ve always done — just faster. A marketer drafts blog posts in minutes. A rep writes emails with higher personalization, less effort. A support leader summarizes tickets in seconds. This is where most teams are today: AI as a productivity booster. Step 2: AI transforms jobs. AI works for you. It starts delivering outcomes. A content agent spins one blog into a full campaign. A prospecting agent books qualified meetings without human touch. A customer agent handles most Tier 1 support tickets. The job itself starts to evolve. You spend less time doing — and more time creating, optimizing, and scaling. Step 3: AI transforms functions. As agents take on entire workflows, the structure of departments begins to shift: Support shifts from to proactive experience design. Marketing shifts to creative strategy. Sales shifts to high-impact closing. Role ratios change. Skillsets shift. We are not quite here but we can see the path. The result for scaling businesses? A whole new way of approaching work, structuring teams, and thinking about growth.

Let’s talk about AI—not as a buzzword, but as your new project sidekick. From project kickoff to closeout, AI is transforming how we actually get work done. No fluff. Just real, practical ways it’s helping project managers save time, make better decisions, and keep projects moving. ✅ Need to write a project charter? AI can draft the first version. ✅ Trying to forecast timelines? AI tools are already scanning past data to help you plan smarter. ✅ Tired of chasing status updates? Automation’s got you. ✅ Want better post-project insights? AI can decode your feedback surveys for actionable takeaways. This isn’t about replacing project managers. It’s about empowering us to lead with sharper tools—and less burnout. We break down the real ways AI is showing up in each phase of the project lifecycle in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/ek4dAhEb Tell me—have you tried AI in your PM workflow yet? What tools are working for you?