Held under the theme ‘MORE, Together Future-Ready In the Age Of AI’, the flagship annual conference featured keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive conversations involving project professionals, industry leaders, policymakers and emerging professionals from across South Asia. Discussions focused on the growing need to combine technological capabilities with strategic thinking, human judgment, adaptability, leadership and effective execution to achieve project success in an AI-driven environment.
A key discussion at the conference centred on how AI is changing the way organisations define, measure and deliver project success. Speakers highlighted the importance of combining technology with human expertise and strengthening collaboration across teams. They also examined how organisations must continually reassess their approaches to project planning, execution and performance measurement as technological change accelerates.
Amit Goyal, Managing Director, South Asia, Project Management Institute, said the conference came at a crucial moment for the region as AI continued to reshape jobs, business models and technology delivery. He noted that India's strong technology ecosystem and ability to adopt and scale new technologies positioned the country well for the next phase of growth.
Referring to McKinsey’s 2025 State of AI report, Goyal highlighted that only 39% of organisations reported an enterprise-level EBIT impact from AI, underlining the challenge of translating technology adoption into measurable business outcomes.
“Project success in the AI era will increasingly depend on how effectively organisations combine technology with human judgment, leadership and execution,” Goyal said.
He added that PMSAC26 brought together industry experts and project leaders to examine these challenges, exchange practical perspectives and explore what organisations need to turn AI ambitions into meaningful outcomes. Goyal also expressed his commitment to carrying forward the spirit of MORE, Together: Future-Ready in the Age of AI through continued learning, collaboration and efforts to shape the future of the project profession.
The conference featured senior leaders from technology, consulting, education, healthcare and enterprise services, including Ajit Chauhan, Chairman, Amity University Online; Ravi Kumar Dikshit, Global Consult Delivery Lead, Kyndryl; Dr. Geetha Manjunath, Founder, CEO and CTO, NIRAMAI Health Analytix; John Dawber, Vice President & Managing Director, Global Business Services, Novo Nordisk; Usha Srikanth, Managing Partner – FutureNow Centre Leader (India), IBM Consulting; and Sumit Taneja, Senior Vice President & Global Head of AI Consulting & Implementation, EXL, among others.
Their discussions addressed leading transformation at scale, organisational readiness for AI, the role of technology in creating human impact, leadership and the strategic choices shaping the AI era. The sessions offered perspectives on how organisations can respond to increasing project complexity, rapid technological change and evolving workforce expectations.
Bestselling author, columnist and motivational speaker Chetan Bhagat also delivered a keynote address on navigating change, leadership and the evolving demands of the professional world. He was also featured in a conversation with Amit Goyal, Managing Director, Project Management Institute - South Asia, as part of the conference programme.
The event brought together perspectives from leaders across technology, edtech, consulting, enterprise solutions and thought leadership, giving delegates practical insights into how organisations are adapting to changing business and technological environments.
In its 18th edition, PMSAC26 provided a platform for project professionals at different career stages to exchange experiences and learn from real-world project leadership. Discussions reinforced the importance of sound judgment, collaboration, adaptability and the ability to translate strategy into execution.
The conference highlighted PMI's commitment to developing future-ready professionals and advancing project management practices across South Asia, with a focus on helping organisations convert technological opportunities into measurable business outcomes.
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