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:
- Evaluate the current practices and limitations of AI in PM
- Define Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) and why it matters
- Explore your strategic HITL value as a project leader
- Apply a human-AI collaboration framework (5-D Cycle)
- Fit the framework into your work
About Debra Kahn
Debra Kahn, CPTC, MA, PMP, is an AI-aware content and project leader. She has 20 years of experience in product and content development and management, including with Oracle Corporation. In 2013, Debra founded DK Consulting of Colorado 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.
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.
