Lead Like a Human—Even When the Bots Take Over
Presented by Markus Kopko
Principal Project & Program Management Consultant & Trainer, PMotion.ai
AI is continually improving at performing tasks. Faster. Smarter. Sometimes even better than us. But when algorithms run the numbers, who leads the humans?
This talk tackles a vital question for the future of project and program management: In a world where AI handles planning, scheduling, and reporting—what do we do?
The answer lies in our distinctly human abilities: empathy, ethical judgment, contextual intelligence, and our capacity to connect, lead, and inspire. These power skills aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re what will make the difference between irrelevance and impact.
This session unpacks the must-have human skills for tomorrow’s project leaders and shows how to start building them today.
Key Takeaways:
- Identify the human-centered competencies that remain essential in an AI-driven environment
- Understand how leadership models are evolving—and how PMs can adapt
- Learn actionable strategies to develop communication, empathy, decision-making, and resilience
- Rethink PM training and development in light of the rise of automation and intelligent agents
Markus Kopko blends 20+ years of project and program leadership experience with deep engagement in AI integration and thought leadership. He helps organizations and professionals navigate the balance between automation and human-centric value creation, without losing their soul (or their edge).
About Markus Kopko
Markus Kopko is a distinguished expert in project, program, and portfolio management, with over 20 years of experience driving strategic transformation across a wide range of industries. As the Principal Consultant and Founder of MP4PM – Method Power for Project Management (www.mp4pm.club), Markus helps professionals achieve PMI certifications such as PMP and PgMP, while equipping them with the practical tools to lead with confidence and deliver real-world results.
A trusted advisor and international speaker, Markus served on the PMI Review Team for the PMBOK® Guide – 7th Edition, and currently contributes to the Core Development Team for PMI’s Standard on AI in Project, Program, and Portfolio Management
Markus holds the PMP®, PgMP®, and Certified AI Transformation Lead (C-AITL by USAII) credentials. His leadership philosophy–“Lead with empathy. Empower with trust. Show up human — every single day.”—reflects his holistic approach to leadership and development.
