René Power has been delivering marketing programmes, training and speaking for over 30 years. He is an established consultant helping SMEs plan and implement effective marketing and supports marketing teams in larger organisations to stay ahead of the competition.

In this article, René discusses how Microsoft Copilot can be used by project professionals to improve their workflows.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from experimentation to everyday business practice.

For project managers, this presents a significant opportunity. While much of the public discussion around AI focuses on automation and future disruption, the reality for most project professionals is far more practical. AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot can help reduce administrative workload, improve communication, accelerate reporting and support better decision-making.

AI Can Reduce Administrative Burden

Project managers are often responsible for coordinating information from multiple stakeholders, preparing reports, tracking actions, managing risks and ensuring governance processes are followed. These activities are essential to successful delivery, but they can also consume a considerable amount of time. AI has the potential to streamline many of these tasks, allowing project professionals to focus more on leadership, stakeholder engagement and strategic thinking.

One of the most valuable applications of AI in project management is information synthesis. Modern projects generate large volumes of data through meetings, emails, reports and collaboration tools. AI can help summarise discussions, identify key actions and produce draft updates in a fraction of the time it would take manually. This does not remove the need for professional judgement, but it can significantly improve productivity.

Human Input is Essential to Getting What You Want

AI can also support project communication. Project managers frequently need to adapt messages for different audiences, whether communicating with sponsors, delivery teams, customers or governance boards. By providing the right context and instructions, AI tools can help draft communications that are appropriate for different stakeholder groups while maintaining consistency and professionalism.

However, successful adoption is not simply about learning how to use AI tools. It also requires an understanding of their limitations. AI-generated outputs can contain inaccuracies, make incorrect assumptions or omit important information. In regulated or commercially sensitive environments, governance, confidentiality and compliance considerations remain critical. Project managers must be able to review, challenge and validate AI outputs rather than accepting them at face value.

Responsible AI Skills Are Becoming Critical

This is why organisations are increasingly investing in AI skills development for project professionals. Understanding how to write effective prompts, critically evaluate outputs and apply AI responsibly is becoming an important capability. The most effective project managers will be those who can combine the efficiency of AI with strong judgement, communication skills and governance awareness.

As AI continues to become embedded within tools such as Microsoft 365, project professionals have an opportunity to rethink how work gets done. The goal is not to replace project managers. Instead, it is to augment their capabilities, reduce low-value administrative effort and create more time for activities that genuinely add value to projects and stakeholders.

Tools such as Microsoft Copilot can help accelerate reporting, meeting summaries, stakeholder communications and information analysis, allowing project managers to focus on higher-value activities.

Westminster Insight’s Integrating AI into Project Management training course is designed to help you seamlessly incorporate artificial intelligence into your project management process, boosting efficiency, clarity, and outcomes at every stage. View the full agenda and book your place today

René Power is a CIM-qualified senior marketing professional with over 30 years of experience across client-side, agency, and independent consultancy roles. Since 2015, he has worked as a self-employed marketing consultant, trainer, and speaker.

René has collaborated with a wide range of national and international organisations since 1995. He began his career client-side in PPE manufacturing within the safety sector, before moving into international pharmaceutical and medical communications. He later worked with numerous manufacturing, engineering, and construction clients through B2B agencies and consultancy engagements.

He also brings several years of experience in local authority marketing training, having delivered a nationwide commercialisation programme with APSE. His training clients include Rolls-Royce plc, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Manchester Chamber of Commerce, B2B Marketing, and others. Additionally, he has lectured at universities in Manchester, Leeds, and York.

René helps clients craft compelling story brands and develop customer-focused marketing strategies. His current focus is on harnessing the power of AI to enhance strategic insight, project management, and critically the marketing function.

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