The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in UK project management has almost doubled in just two years, according to a new survey.
The findings, from a poll of 1,000 project professionals conducted by the Association for Project Management (APM) and research firm Censuswide, reveal that 70% of organisations are now using AI, with a further 29% planning to adopt it. This marks a significant increase from 2023, when only 36% of companies were using AI.
Widespread Adoption and Positive Outlook
The rapid uptake of AI is attributed to the multiple benefits it brings to project delivery. The survey found that task and schedule automation, resource allocation, and risk analysis and forecasting were the areas that had benefited most from AI implementation, with 50% of professionals seeing improvements in each. Reporting and dashboarding (49%) and stakeholder communications (43%) also saw notable positive impacts.
The survey also highlighted a growing optimism towards AI. In 2025, 62% of respondents believed that the latest advancements in AI would have a “very positive” effect on their industry, a stark contrast to the 15% who held the same view in 2023. Project professionals anticipate that AI will primarily free up time for strategic work (49%), enable more accurate data analysis (43%), and assist in decision-making (42%).
The Challenge of Training and Security
Despite the positive trends, challenges remain. Nearly half (49%) of those already using AI cited a lack of technical knowledge and training as a significant hurdle. Other concerns included security and data privacy (44%), integration with existing workflows (42%), and the inaccuracy or untrustworthiness of AI-generated work (41%).
James Doherty, a project controls expert at maritime consulting firm BMT, stressed the importance of proper training. “You have to feel suitably qualified and experienced before you should be using AI to generate any work for you. It’s about assurance, you have to sign your name at the bottom of anything you’re delivering,” he said.
Doherty also noted the speed at which new tools are emerging, adding, “There are new AI tools cropping up every other day that do just about everything that you could ever want. The challenge is implementing these safely, at scale. It takes effort behind the scenes.”
APM Emphasises Training and Ethical Use
Professor Adam Boddison OBE, Chief Executive of APM, reflected on the survey’s findings, stating, “The pace at which AI is transforming project management is remarkable. In just two years, we’ve seen adoption levels almost double, with the vast majority of project professionals now working alongside AI tools to plan and deliver better outcomes.”
He emphasised that AI is not a replacement for human professionals but rather a tool to empower them. “This isn’t about replacing project managers, but about enabling them – freeing up time, enhancing analysis, and improving decision-making,” he said.
Boddison highlighted the dual role of the findings, pointing to “both the opportunity and the responsibility” for organisations to invest in training and support. “The future of the profession will not be defined by AI alone, but by how people use it to create real value,” he concluded.
The survey also provided a sector-specific breakdown of AI adoption, showing significant growth across various industries:
- Construction: 75% in 2025 (up from 15% in 2023)
- Financial Services: 66% in 2025 (up from 23% in 2023)
- Engineering: 73% in 2025 (up from 35% in 2023)
- Transport: 71% in 2025 (up from 36% in 2023)
APM has developed resources, including case studies, to help professionals better understand and navigate the impacts of AI in project delivery.
