Five AI trends for 2026 that project managers need to consider

In 2025, TIME magazine crowned the ‘Architects of AI’ as its Person of the Year, recognising the handful of leaders who are fundamentally reshaping our world. This was not a niche tech award; it was a mainstream acknowledgment that artificial intelligence (AI) has become a dominant force in the global economy, geopolitics and the fabric of our daily lives.

As we step into 2026, project management finds itself just as impacted by this transformation as other professions. The question is no longer if AI will impact projects, but how project professionals can navigate the complex and often contradictory currents of this new era.

Here are five critical trends that I think will define AI in project management in 2026.

1. The rise of the hybrid human-AI workforce

The most significant shift in 2026 will be the emergence of a hybrid human-AI workforce. This goes beyond simple automation. We are entering the era of agentic AI, where autonomous systems can manage entire workflows, from planning and resource allocation to risk mitigation.

This ‘silicon workforce’ will handle the hyper-automation of routine tasks, freeing up project managers to focus on strategic oversight and complex problem-solving. Further, this digital workforce is taking physical form. With companies like Tesla and Figure ramping up production, 2026 may be the year you see your first humanoid robot in a real-life environment, performing tasks alongside human colleagues.

This convergence demands that data and AI fluency become a core competency for all project professionals, who must now learn to manage, orchestrate and collaborate with their digital and robotic team members.

2. Consultancies morphing into tech companies

The line between professional services and technology is blurring. The most telling sign of this shift was AECOM’s headline-grabbing $390m acquisition of Norwegian AI start-up Consigli in late 2025. This was not a simple technology purchase; it was a strategic declaration that the future of infrastructure consulting is inextricably linked with proprietary AI.

We can expect to see a wave of similar acquisitions as major consultancies race to embed AI at their core, transforming themselves into tech-driven organisations. For project managers, this means that the tools and platforms they use will become increasingly sophisticated and integrated, with AI-powered predictive analytics moving from a nice-to-have feature to a central element of project forecasting and delivery.

3. The AI trust deficit

The Wild West era of AI implementation is ending. As AI’s influence grows, so does the scrutiny. This year will be marked by a significant push for regulation, driven by both professional bodies and the harsh lessons of corporate missteps. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has been at the forefront, launching a global professional standard for the responsible use of AI that becomes mandatory in March 2026.

The urgent need for guardrails was starkly illustrated by the news in 2025 that a major consultancy was forced to repay a portion of its fees to the Australian government after its report was found to contain AI-generated errors. The growing trust deficit is fuelling an AI pushback, with some companies beginning to position themselves as ‘AI-free’ as a mark of quality and human craftsmanship. Project managers must balance the drive for AI-led efficiency with the critical need for ethical oversight, regulatory compliance and client trust.

4. The unrelenting march towards AGI

Equal parts tantalising and terrifying is the prospect of artificial general intelligence (AGI) – the point at which an AI’s cognitive abilities match or surpass those of a human. While predictions on the timing of AGI’s arrival vary wildly, with some experts suggesting it could be as early as 2026 or 2027 (I think it will be nearer 2030), our mere proximity to this milestone is already having a profound impact.

The race to AGI is driving unprecedented levels of investment and innovation, but it is also forcing a critical conversation about the long-term implications for humanity. For project managers, the approach of AGI is a stark reminder of the exponential pace of change and the need to be adaptable, forward-thinking and deeply engaged in the ethical and societal debates that will shape our future.

5. Enhanced communication and data-driven decision-making

As teams become more distributed and projects more complex, AI will become an indispensable partner in fostering communication and enabling smarter decisions. AI-powered assistants will facilitate seamless collaboration across time zones, while advanced, customisable dashboards will provide stakeholders with real-time, data-driven insights into project health.

This move towards decision intelligence, where AI doesn’t just present data, but also recommends actions, will empower project managers to make faster, more informed choices. By automating reporting and enhancing data visualisation, AI will ensure that all stakeholders have a clear and accurate view of project progress, fostering transparency and alignment.