Strategic HITL: The Project Leader's Edge in an Automated World

Debra Kahn, CPTC, PMP

Founder, DK Consulting of Colorado

As AI tools become embedded in project workflows, project leaders face a critical question: What remains uniquely human in our role? This session explores how PMPs can thrive in an AI-augmented environment by serving as strategic humans in the loop (HITL). PMs provide the judgment, ethics, and contextual insight that machines can’t replicate. Through real-world examples and a practical collaboration framework, you’ll learn how to guide AI use responsibly, advocate for governance, and elevate your value as a project leader who stays in control, even as automation scales. Key Takeaways:
  • Recognize how GenAI is shaping project management practices
  • Identify the limitations of AI that require human oversight
  • Articulate the unique strategic value PMPs bring as human-in-the-loop (HITL) leaders
  • Apply a human-AI collaboration framework to your PM workflows
  • Advocate for responsible AI use and governance in your PMO
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About Debra Kahn

Debra Kahn, CPTC, PMP, founded DK Consulting of Colorado in 2013 to assist organizations in planning, developing, and maintaining high-quality, high-performing content. Her clients include small and large organizations as well as fellow consultants. Her career spans 20 years in corporate program management and content development, including work as a PM and content strategist with Oracle.

Debra holds an MA in English and has taught communication skills at two universities in Colorado. Her involvement in professional organizations includes writing and speaking about product project management, content strategy, and GenAI. Her most popular topics focus on the intersectionality of project management and content management.