Leading and Managing AI Projects:
From Trustworthy Design to Sustainable Impact
Unpacking The New PMI Certified Professional
in Managing AI
(PMI-CPMAI)™ Framework
By Markus Kopko, PgMP, PMP, CPMAI, CAITL
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the defining capability of modern organizations—yet most projects still fail to deliver. Recent reports, including those from Project Management Institute (PMI) and Gartner show that over 80% of AI initiatives never reach production or meet the expectations set for them. The root cause is not the technology itself, but the approach: many teams apply traditional IT methods to manage systems that are inherently data-driven, probabilistic, and ethically complex.
This approach is fundamentally flawed. AI projects are not software projects–they are exploratory, scientific endeavors where success depends on data quality, iterative experimentation, and continuous monitoring.
The new PMI framework, leading to the PMI Certified Professional in Managing AI (PMI-CPMAI)™ certification, directly addresses this gap by providing a structured, adaptable approach that connects project management with the realities of data science, ethics, and governance. The goal is to enable organizations to apply AI responsibly, sustainably, and at scale.
This whitepaper analyzes the core components of the PMI-CPMAI™ approach. We detail how project leaders can apply the six-phase lifecycle, leverage the seven AI patterns for strategic classification, and establish trustworthy AI governance to turn experimentation into measurable enterprise value.
About the Author
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.
