Enhancing Human Leadership with AI
FEATURED PEER REVIEWED PAPER
By Nidhi Mahajan
Texas, USA
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the discipline of program and portfolio management by enabling advanced capabilities in data analytics, automation, and decision support. This conceptual paper explores AI not as a replacement for human leadership but as an augmentative force—enhancing, rather than supplanting, human judgment, collaboration, and ethical responsibility. Our central research question asks: How can AI be effectively integrated into program management to improve decision-making, governance, and leadership while preserving the critical role of human oversight?
Grounded in theories of augmented intelligence, socio-technical systems, and human–AI collaboration, we synthesize insights from academic literature, industry practices, and PMI standards, including the emerging Collaboration performance domain. Through a qualitative, conceptual approach, we propose practical frameworks to guide AI integration: including an AI-assisted decision-making flow, a human–AI collaboration model across the program life cycle, and a governance approach that balances people, processes, and technology.
Our findings suggest that AI excels in routine, data-driven tasks, thereby freeing program managers to focus on strategic, relational, and ethical dimensions of leadership. We illustrate our models with real-world scenarios—such as AI-supported risk analysis and predictive scheduling—aligned with PMI guidelines. Crucially, we argue that successful AI integration depends on strong human leadership to guide ethical use, maintain data integrity, and apply professional judgment to AI-generated insights.
In conclusion, augmented intelligence offers significant potential to enhance program outcomes—not by replacing human leaders, but by empowering them with tools to make more informed, timely, and strategic decisions.
Keywords: Augmented Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Program Management, Human–Augmented Intelligence Collaboration, Governance, Leadership, PMI
1.0 Introduction
As organizations accelerate their digital transformation efforts, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into program and portfolio management practices. Applications such as risk forecasting, schedule optimization, automated reporting, and resource allocation are already demonstrating measurable value across industries. Yet, concerns persist: could AI eventually supplant human roles in program management—particularly in areas requiring leadership, decision-making, and ethical judgment?
Emerging thought leadership, including research from the Project Management Institute (PMI, 2022), calls for a reframing of this narrative. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human intelligence, many now advocate for “augmented intelligence”—a paradigm in which AI technologies enhance, rather than replace, human capabilities. This shift has profound implications: how can AI be designed and deployed to support program leaders while preserving the uniquely human attributes of empathy, foresight, judgment, and ethical responsibility?
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How to cite this paper: Mahajan, N. (2025). Augmented Intelligence in Program Management: Enhancing Human Leadership with AI; PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue VII, July. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/pmwj154-Jul2025-Mahajan-Augmented-Intelligence-in-Program-Management.pdf
About the Author
Nidhi Mahajan
Texas, USA
Nidhi Mahajan is an experienced program and operations leader with a Master of Business Administration in Finance and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communications. With over 17 years of experience across financial services and technology, she has held senior roles in program management, PMO governance, and strategic operations—most recently as Director of Business Strategy and Program Operations at Visa Inc. Her work focuses on enterprise transformation, Agile delivery, go-to-market strategy, and applied technology in program environments, including automation, AI integration, and compliance-driven modernization.
Nidhi has contributed to cross-functional initiatives spanning cloud migration, risk frameworks, and digital product launches. She has authored thought leadership pieces on augmented intelligence and human–AI collaboration in program management, drawing from her hands-on experience with tools like JIRA, ServiceNow, Clarity PPM, and Smartsheet. A certified PMP, CSM, and SAFe Agilist, she also mentors early-career professionals and champions data-informed decision-making frameworks.
Nidhi actively participates in global project management communities and speaks at industry forums on PMO innovation and transformation leadership.
She can be reached linkedin.com/in/nmahajan012
