RIYADH: The Global Project Management Forum 2025 Opens in Riyadh with Focus on AI, Innovation, and Human-Centered Leadership
The three-day Global Project Management Forum (GPMF) 2025 kicked off in Riyadh on Saturday under the theme: “Next-Gen Project Management: The Power of People, Processes, and Technology.”
Held under the patronage of Majid Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, the forum convenes senior government officials, industry leaders, innovators, and global experts to explore the evolving landscape of project management.
Badr Burshaid, Chairman of the GPMF, emphasized the transformative role of artificial intelligence.
The forum features live demonstrations of cutting-edge AI tools, including predictive analytics which McKinsey estimates can improve project efficiency by 30% and real-time resource optimization systems.
These technologies, Burshaid said, are already reshaping workflows across industries.
He cited a Gartner forecast stating that by 2030, 80% of project management tasks will be either supported or managed by AI.
However, he stressed that AI is not a replacement for human leadership but a tool to amplify it.
Among the technologies showcased is digital twin technology, which Burshaid described as a game-changer.
He pointed to projects like London’s Crossrail, where such tools have saved “hundreds of millions in maintenance costs.”
He also noted the growing importance of hybrid governance models that combine agile and predictive methodologies to better navigate the complexity of modern projects.
“GPMF is not merely adapting to change, it is shaping it,” said Burshaid. “The conversations happening here are not theoretical. They’re catalytic.”
A core priority of the forum is talent development. Initiatives such as the Project Management Challenge, where students tackle real-world problems, and collaborations with universities aim to align education with evolving industry needs.
“Talent cultivation at GPMF 2025 is not just aspirational, it's operational,” said Burshaid, highlighting mentorship programs and certification pathways as key components of the forum’s strategy.
He linked the GPMF agenda directly to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, noting the vital role of Project Management Offices in executing the Kingdom’s ambitious national strategies.
Case studies from Saudi mega-projects will illustrate how digital tools and performance tracking drive execution.
“GPMF doesn’t just mirror Vision 2030, it accelerates it,” he said.
As the integration of automation increases, Burshaid acknowledged the need to balance technological efficiency with human insight.
“Technology can speed up processes,” he noted, “but only people provide vision, context, and values.”
Forum sessions such as “Leadership Under Pressure” will explore how to balance AI-driven decision-making with ethical leadership and empathy.
“GPMF envisions a future where innovation is deeply human-centric,” Burshaid concluded, calling on attendees: “From Riyadh, we are not just reimagining project management, we are setting a new standard for national and global transformation.”
