People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

PPP 479 | The AI Skills You Need to Stay Relevant, with Matt Mong

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Sep 30, 2025

Join Matt Mong, a leader at PlanAutomate focusing on intelligent automation in project management, as he dives into the realities of AI beyond the hype. He discusses the critical importance of structured data for effective AI use and how project roles are shifting with technology. Matt highlights practical uses for AI like meeting summaries and emphasizes the need for innovation balanced with privacy concerns. He also shares insights on preparing for an AI-influenced workforce, stressing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.

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INSIGHT

Data Is The Real Foundation

AI's effectiveness depends entirely on the quality and structure of the data supplied to it.
Without structured data, AI outputs are often meaningless or misleading.

ADVICE

Prioritize Novel Capabilities

Ask what AI can do that humans currently cannot rather than just what it can do faster.
Use that question to prioritize high-impact AI experiments and features.

ANECDOTE

AI As First Stop For Questions

Matt uses AI daily for ideation, brainstorming, and personal tasks like diagnosing a yard problem from a photo.
AI has become his first stop for questions that used to go to Google.

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Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Matt Mong, a leader at PlanAutomate, a company focused on bringing intelligent automation to the world of project management. With AI dominating headlines, Matt joins the podcast to explore what's real, what's hype, and what project managers and frontline leaders should actually be doing to stay ahead.

They discuss common misconceptions about AI in projects, why structured data is critical, and how AI can evolve from productivity booster to strategic game-changer. Matt shares practical advice on balancing innovation with data privacy, how project roles may shift over time, and what leaders can do today to prepare ourselves (and even our kids) for the future of work.

If you're looking for insights on how to stay relevant in an AI-transformed workplace, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

“The real question isn't just what AI can do faster. It's what it can do that we couldn't do before.”
“We tend to overestimate what AI will do in two years and underestimate what it will do in ten.”
“If you don’t get your data in order, AI won’t be useful. It’s as simple as that.”
“This isn’t about eliminating jobs. It’s about empowering people to lead and collaborate better.”
“Don’t future-proof your job. Prepare for the future by experimenting and adapting.”
“What if your projects could talk to you and give ongoing guidance? That’s where we’re heading.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:00 Start of Interview
02:06 What's Something About AI or Projects That Drives You Crazy?
05:00 How Are You Personally Using AI at Work or Home?
07:00 How Are Customers Using AI Today? And Where Is It Heading?
12:06 What About Concerns With Data Privacy and Security?
15:00 What Other Risks or Opportunities Should Leaders Be Thinking About?
17:22 Do You Agree That 'AI Won’t Take Your Job. Someone Using AI Will'?
19:40 What Mindsets or Skills Should People Build Now?
23:52 How Can We Prepare Our Kids for the Future of Work?
27:47 Where Can People Learn More About You and PlanAutomate?
29:00 End of Interview
29:20 Andy Comments After the Interview
33:14 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Matt and his work at PlanAutomate.com. You can take the survey that Matt mentions here: https://www.planautomate.com/survey-state-of-ai-in-project-management/

For more learning on this topic, check out:

Episode 463 with Faisal Hoque. He has an empowering take on how to transcend the fear and hype around AI. It’s a great discussion.
Episode 415 with leaders from the software company Keto Software. It’s a great follow-up to this discussion, with some guys who have been in this space for many years.
Episode 384 with PMeLa, an AI persona that I’ve been curating for a couple of years. She was the first AI to be interviewed on a leadership or project management podcast ever. In fact, YOU can talk with PMeLa here.

Level Up Your AI Skills

During the interview, I mentioned our AI Made Simple course. Join other listeners from around the world who are taking this course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

Pass the PMP Exam This Year

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we’ve put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We’ve helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we’d love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I’d love to help you get your PMP this year!

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Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

Topics: AI, Automation, Project Management, Future of Work, Innovation, Data Privacy, Intelligent Systems, Team Leadership, Experimentation, Upskilling, Technology Strategy, Digital Transformation

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: The Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license