The rapid expansion of megaprojects in the MENA region is poised for a significant boost in productivity and efficiency through early adoption of Generative AI (GenAI), according to a new report by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
PMI, the leading authority for project professionals, highlights that trailblazers in GenAI adoption are leading the way by unlocking performance enhancements and sharing their learnings to drive business transformation.
UAE’s Generative AI Market
The UAE’s GenAI market is a fast-emerging sector disrupting global economies. Organizations embracing GenAI are already reaping benefits in productivity, effectiveness, collaboration, and creativity. PMI’s report, “First Movers’ Advantage: The Immediate Benefits of Adopting Generative AI for Project Management,” surveyed 500 project professionals worldwide using GenAI in their work. It found that organizations encouraging GenAI adoption see transformative outcomes, such as:
- Increased Productivity: 93% of trailblazers are more productive compared to 58% of low adopters.
- Enhanced Effectiveness: 88% of high adopters report greater effectiveness versus 50% of explorers.
- Improved Collaboration and Creativity: Trailblazers enhance collaboration (83% vs. 32%) and creativity (84% vs. 44%).
- Better Project Management: Significant improvements in project scope, scheduling, cost, and quality management.
Doubling of GenAI Use
A study by Microsoft and LinkedIn revealed a doubling of GenAI use among knowledge workers in late 2023, with 75% incorporating it into their workflows—a trend mirrored within PMI’s community.
Pierre Le Manh, President & CEO of PMI, remarked, “GenAI trailblazers are maximizing adoption to elevate their performance and navigate complex work, distinguishing themselves through innovative leadership. We aim to help all project professionals quickly adapt and benefit from GenAI’s growth.”
Hanny Alshazly, PMI’s Regional Managing Director for MENA, emphasized the disruptive potential of GenAI in project management. “The future belongs to GenAI trailblazers who innovate and embrace its transformative power,” he said.
Learning from High Adopters
Project professionals leading GenAI adoption are building strategic advantages, such as mastering prompt engineering and using GenAI for complex tasks like data analysis and risk management. High adopters are three times more likely to enhance their skills with GenAI compared to explorers (36% vs. 12%).
Le Manh highlighted the importance of organizational support in accelerating GenAI adoption, noting that trailblazers are ten times more likely to work for supportive organizations.
Early Adoption in the UAE and GCC
The UAE’s early adoption of GenAI has positioned it as a global leader, with GCC countries expected to gain $23.5 billion in economic benefits by 2030 from growing investments in GenAI, according to PwC. In Saudi Arabia, the GenAI market is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030, growing at an annual rate of over 25%.
Saudi Arabia’s ‘Generative Artificial Intelligence for All’ initiative underscores its commitment to digital transformation and global advancement of GenAI.
Developing GenAI Resources
PMI, with its vast community, has embraced PMI Infinity™, a GenAI tool, and various trainings to enhance project professionals’ skills. PMI is launching a series of GenAI prompts for different industries to support project work. The new Prompt Library in PMI Infinity™ will help users develop precise prompts, bridging the gap between trailblazers and explorers.
PMI’s initiatives aim to provide project professionals with resources to integrate AI seamlessly into their workflows, ensuring they stay ahead in the rapidly evolving project management landscape.
