REPORT
By Sebastian Wieschowski
Nuremberg, Germany
Humanity at the Helm: GPM Focus 2026 Redefines AI
as a Leadership Mandate
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence has undoubtedly become the dominant hype topic in project management, promising to fundamentally redefine how teams operate. However, while the potential for transformation is vast, many project professionals find themselves lacking the time to integrate these technologies in a structured and meaningful way. Despite the widespread enthusiasm, several critical questions regarding the daily application of AI remain largely unresolved for many practitioners.
To illustrate these challenges, project leaders often find themselves asking: What can AI truly achieve in today’s project environment, and where are its practical risks and limitations? How can I choose the most suitable AI tools, such as ChatGPT or Microsoft 365 Copilot, to meet my specific requirements? Which new roles and responsibilities are emerging within project management as a result of AI integration?
In response to these uncertainties, the GPM German Project Management Association is introducing a new, hands-on working format called GPM Focus. Rather than a traditional congress or lecture series, this format provides a dedicated space for teams to move beyond the hype and develop practical, impact-oriented results. Participants will work directly with experts to test methods, clarify individual questions, and leave with immediately applicable tools and templates for their own project contexts.
The inaugural event took place on March 24th in Frankfurt. The central thesis of the day was clear: AI is no longer a peripheral IT tool but a fundamental leadership and design challenge that requires human “pilots” to maintain accountability while digital “co-pilots” handle operational responsibility.
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How to cite this paper: Wieschowski, S. (2026). Humanity at the Helm: GPM Focus 2026 Redefines AI as a Leadership Mandate, report; PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue IV, April. Available online at: https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/pmwj163-Apr2026-Wieschowski-gpm-focus-ai-trends.pdf
About the Author
Sebastian Wieschowski
Nuremberg, Germany
Sebastian Wieschowski is an editor at the German Project Management Association (GPM), the national member association of the International Project Management Association (IPMA) in Germany. He is responsible for developing GPM’s media relations and serves on the editorial board of PM Aktuell, a quarterly magazine distributed to more than 6,500 GPM members as well as external stakeholders.
Born in 1985 in northern Germany, Wieschowski developed an early fascination with journalism. His formal education began with active contributions to school and local newspapers. He later completed journalistic training at the Cologne Journalism School for Politics and Economics, earned a Master Level Diploma from the School of Journalism at Eichstaett University, and undertook professional training at a regional newspaper publisher. He also holds a postgraduate M.Sc. degree in Public Health from Hannover Medical School.
In addition to his freelance journalism for national and international outlets, including major German media such as DIE ZEIT, Wieschowski has held senior communications roles since 2012. He first worked as press officer for a private university specializing in social work, then for a psychiatric hospital, and later for an industrial company. In September 2024, he joined GPM’s Marketing and Public Relations department, where he focuses on strengthening the visibility and public relevance of project management through editorial formats such as storytelling.
Alongside his professional career, Sebastian Wieschowski is also active as a freelance author in his lifelong passion, numismatics. He writes for both German- and English-language specialist publications, and his work has been recognized three times by the Numismatic Literary Guild, a writers’ association based in the USA.
Sebastian is a reporter at heart and enjoys discovering inspiring stories and meet people from around the world, a goal that is particularly easy to pursue in the field of project management. He can be contacted at s.wieschowski@gpm-ipma.de.
To view other works by Sebastian, visit his author showcase in the PM World Library at https://pmworldlibrary.net/authors/sebastian-wieschowski/
