126: "What's your AI Strategy?" Handling the Executive who wants AI in everything

About this episode

You know the moment.

Your project plan is solid. The scope is defined. The team is ready. Then an executive walks by and casually asks:

"Can we just make this AI?"

Suddenly you're no longer managing a project. You're managing expectations, buzzwords, corporate excitement, and whatever article someone just read on the flight home from a conference.

In this episode, Kim and Kate tackle the question nearly every project manager is hearing right now: What's your AI strategy?

They discuss why this isn't the first technology hype cycle we've lived through, how to respond when leaders want AI without knowing what they actually want AI to do, and why saying "yes" doesn't mean committing to anything.

Along the way, they unpack executive AI buzzwords, governance concerns, AI productivity myths, vibe coding, project management tools, and where AI genuinely helps versus where it's mostly creating noise.

Most importantly, they share practical ways to stay credible, keep your projects grounded, and avoid getting swept up in the latest technology frenzy.

So grab a drink, pull up your RAID log, and let's talk about surviving the AI gold rush without losing your mind.

🎙️ Spicy Quotes from the Episode

"My eyes actually fell all the way out of my head and are rolling down the street. I actually can't see anything anymore." — Kate

"Your project cannot be more mature than the organization." — Kim

"AI is not like magic pixie dust you sprinkle on your project and suddenly magical things happen, right?" — Kim

"AI is not better than you at project management. And it probably never will be." — Kate

Key Concepts & Takeaways

AI Hype Cycles Are Not New

The technology changes, but the executive behavior doesn't.

Before AI there was cloud. Before that there was blockchain. Every generation gets its must-have technology that promises massive transformation. Project managers shouldn't panic when AI becomes the topic of every conversation. The important skill isn't becoming an AI expert overnight. It's understanding enough to have an informed conversation.

Other key concepts covered:

• Learn the Language Without Drinking the Kool-Aid

• Don't Let Projects Outrun Governance

• Ask "How?" Before You Ask "Why Not?"

• AI Is Only As Good As Your Data

• AI Helps More With Starting Than Finishing

Closing Reflection

The next time someone asks, "What's our AI strategy?" maybe the better question is:

"What problem are we actually trying to solve?"

Because the organizations that benefit most from AI probably won't be the ones chasing every new buzzword—they'll be the ones that stay focused on outcomes while everyone else is getting distracted by the hype.

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned

• Project Management Happy Hour Website

• PM Happy Hour Membership