Spotlight on technology at Riyadh project management forum
RIYADH: The three-day Global Project Management Forum 2025 opens here on Saturday titled 'Next-Gen Project Management: The Power of People, Processes, and Technology.'
Held under the patronage of Majid Al-Hogail, minister of municipalities and housing, the GPMF brings together government officials, industry pioneers, innovators, and global thought leaders.
Badr Burshaid, chairman of the forum, told Arab News: 'Artificial intelligence is no longer a future trend it is now one of the most transformative forces in project management.'
He said the forum would showcase live demonstrations of AI tools.
This includes predictive analytics, which McKinsey estimates can boost project efficiency by 30 percent, alongside real-time resource optimization systems, he said.
These innovations, he noted, are already shifting workflows across industries.
'By 2030, Gartner predicts that 80 percent of project management functions will be supported or led by AI,' Burshaid said.
'AI is not here to replace human leadership — it is here to enhance it,' he added.
Burshaid highlighted digital twin technology as a game-changer, citing its role in saving 'hundreds of millions in maintenance costs' for projects such as London's Crossrail.
Hybrid governance models blending agile and predictive approaches, he added, are becoming critical in today's complex project landscapes.
On the GPMF's global influence, he said: 'These conversations aren't theoretical — they're catalytic. GPMF is not just responding to change; it is architecting it.'
'Developing future talent is a strategic imperative at GPMF 2025,' Burshaid added.
The forum's initiatives include the Project Management Challenge, where students solve real-world problems, and partnerships with universities to align education with industry needs.
He emphasized that 'talent cultivation is not aspirational — it's operational,' pointing to certifications and mentorship programs as proof of the GPMF's commitment.
Burshaid linked the forum's agenda to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, noting that Project Management Offices remain pivotal in turning national goals into results.
Case studies from Saudi Arabia's mega-projects would demonstrate how digital tools and performance-monitoring drive progress.
'GPMF doesn't just reflect Vision 2030, it propels it forward,' he said.
Addressing tensions between automation and human judgment, Burshaid argued that 'technology can accelerate processes, but only people can provide vision, context, and values.'
Sessions at the event including 'Leadership Under Pressure' would guide professionals in balancing AI tools with ethical oversight and empathy.
'GPMF stands for a future in which innovation is deeply human-centric,' he added.
Burshaid issued a rallying call: 'From Riyadh, we're not only reimagining project management — we're raising the standard for how nations and leaders deliver transformation.'
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