Artificial Intelligence Revolutionizing Project Management at Aramco Forum
In a groundbreaking industry gathering in Riyadh, a senior Aramco official declared that artificial intelligence is becoming the cornerstone of project management, ushering in a new era for the sector.
Margarete Schramboeck, board member at Aramco Digital and former minister of Economy and Digital Affairs of Austria, highlighted Aramco’s commitment to cutting-edge partnerships in cybersecurity, industrial automation, and telecom.
During an interview with Arab News at the Global Project Management Forum in Riyadh, Schramboeck emphasized the transformative power of advanced technology in project implementations. She stated, “New forms of generative AI help us in all the process implementations, (and) inclusive AI means a completely new way of tackling projects.”
Redefining Giga Projects in Urban Development
In a panel discussion titled “Opportunities and Success Factors in Giga Projects,” Ghanem Al-Mohammadi, former minister of municipal and rural affairs, challenged the conventional definition of giga-projects in urban development.
Al-Mohammadi argued that giga-projects should be evaluated based on interconnectedness, transformational impact, and sustainability rather than just cost. He stated, “A giga-project serves a city and can drive transformational growth.”
Saadi Adra, CEO of Advisors, added to the discussion by highlighting how managing multiple small projects collectively can contribute to the complexity of a giga-project.
Saudi Vision 2030 and the Rise of Giga-Projects
Hesham Al-Babtain, EPMO general manager at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, noted the significance of giga-projects in the context of Saudi Vision 2030’s ambitious initiatives like NEOM and Qiddiya.
Al-Babtain highlighted the positive impact of merging ministries on the labor market, stating, “Women’s participation in the labor market exceeded 35 percent.”
Redefining Project Success Beyond Traditional Metrics
Industry experts at the forum emphasized the evolving definition of project success, moving beyond traditional metrics like time, cost, and quality.
Benjamin Breen, global director of construction at the Project Management Institute, cited the Sydney Opera House as an example of a project with lasting impact despite initial challenges.
The Global Project Management Forum continues to be a premier event for the profession, bringing together experts and industry leaders to discuss emerging technologies and innovation in the sector.