The Big Interview: James Garner

In this exclusive interview, James Garner, Head of Data and Intelligence at global property and construction consultancy Gleeds, shares his insights on how artificial intelligence can support the project profession – and what practitioners need in place to use it effectively.

James argues that AI should not be treated as a simple search tool. Instead, he advocates a 'bookending' approach in which people remain firmly in control at both the start and end of the process.

He sees the business case for AI emerging on two timescales. In the short term, organisations could expect efficiency gains of 20%–50%, enabling teams to focus more time on delivering better project outcomes. In the longer term, the potential is transformative, encouraging a fundamental rethink of how work is organised and delivered. However, this value is only realised when organisations foster the right culture. James highlights contrasting leadership behaviours he has observed, from leaders who dismiss AI, to those who expect their teams to actively adopt it. The impact, he argues, is significant.

James also highlights the key risks that leaders must manage, including data privacy, intellectual property considerations, and the need for genuine AI literacy across the organisation.

Watch the full interview to hear James's practical advice on adopting AI and building the skills project professionals now need.

About James Garner

Garner is the Global Head of Data and Insights & Analytics at Gleeds as well as a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and a chairman for the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence. James is an expert in digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) , and data analytics. He uses these capabilities enhance core services; shape thought leadership and deliver high‑quality, market‑leading solutions.