AI Adoption in Project Management Doubles in Two Years as UK Professionals Embrace New Tools and Skills

AI Use in Project Management Nearly Doubles in Two Years, APM Survey Shows

The adoption of AI in project management has surged significantly over the past two years. According to a recent survey by the Association for Project Management (APM) and research firm Censuswide, 70% of project professionals report that their organisations currently use AI. Only 1% say their organisation neither uses AI nor plans to introduce it, while 29% indicate plans to adopt AI soon.

Comparing this with data from 2023, when 36% reported AI use and 47% planned adoption, reveals a sharp increase in AI integration within UK projects. This trend reflects growing confidence in AI’s ability to improve project delivery across various sectors.

Key Project Functions Benefiting from AI

Among organisations already using AI, the survey highlights several project functions that have gained the most:

• Task and schedule automation: 50%
• Resource allocation: 50%
• Risk analysis and forecasting: 50%
• Reporting and dashboarding: 49%
• Stakeholder communications: 43%

These improvements help streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and enhance data-driven decision-making.

Increasing Frequency and Optimism Around AI

More than 80% of project professionals say they are using AI more often than they expected five years ago. Optimism about AI’s impact on business has also grown: 62% of respondents believe recent AI advancements will have a very positive effect on their industry, up from 15% in 2023.

Top Anticipated Benefits of AI in Projects

• Freeing up time for strategic work by automating administrative tasks (49%)
• More accurate data analysis (43%)
• Assisting in decision making (42%)
• Producing consistent and timely reports (40%)

These outcomes align with the core goals of project managers: efficiency, accuracy, and better communication.

Challenges and Training Needs

While AI adoption grows, nearly half of users (49%) report challenges with technical knowledge and training. Other concerns include data security and privacy (44%), integrating AI with existing workflows (42%), and trustworthiness of AI-generated outputs (41%).

James Doherty, a project controls expert, stresses the importance of proper training: “You need to feel qualified before using AI-generated work. It’s about assurance—you sign off on deliverables. The challenge is implementing AI safely and at scale.”

Support from Organisations

Most project professionals feel supported in AI adoption. Seventy percent say their organisations are adequately preparing project managers for AI use, and 29% note ongoing efforts to improve AI skills. Only 1% feel there is little preparation at present.

Sector-Specific AI Adoption Rates

• Construction: 75% using AI in 2025, up from 15% in 2023
• Financial services: 66% using AI in 2025, up from 23% in 2023
• Engineering: 73% using AI in 2025, up from 35% in 2023
• Transport: 71% using AI in 2025, up from 36% in 2023

These figures show AI’s growing relevance across diverse industries involved in project work.

Final Thoughts

AI is becoming a common tool for project managers, not to replace them but to support better planning, analysis, and delivery. The key to maximizing AI’s value lies in ongoing training and ethical use. Organisations that invest in these areas will help project teams leverage AI confidently and effectively.

For project managers interested in enhancing their AI skills, exploring dedicated AI training courses can provide practical knowledge and improve readiness for this evolving landscape. Learn more about available courses at Complete AI Training.