AI Is Amazing. So Why Does It Still Suck for Project Managers?

The Digital Project Manager

The Digital Project Manager
AI Is Amazing. So Why Does It Still Suck for Project Managers?
Jul 01, 2025
Galen Low and Kelsey Alpaio

There’s no shortage of AI tools for project managers these days—and they can be pretty amazing. But using them? Often a frustrating, disjointed experience. In this episode, Galen Low is joined by Devin Mahoney, CEO and Co-founder of QTalo, to unpack why AI can feel more like a burden than a boost in our day-to-day project work, and how to fix that.

They dive into how AI can truly serve project leaders: from cutting down on context switching to surfacing what actually matters, and building systems that fit into the real workflows of PMs. Devin also shares why privacy matters not just for compliance, but for preserving the creative space we need to do our best work. If you’ve ever felt like AI is both magical and maddening, this one’s for you.

Resources from this episode:

Episode Artwork AI Is Amazing. So Why Does It Still Suck for Project Managers? 19:29 Episode Artwork The Retro: Why Time Tracking Sucks (And How to Make it Suck Less) 49:19 Episode Artwork How to Give Your New AI Tool or Process the Best Chance of Being Adopted 39:38 Episode Artwork The Retro: The AI Skills That Will Future-proof Your Career 23:11 Episode Artwork How Project Managers Can Thrive In Evolving Agency Models 42:17 Episode Artwork The Retro: How to Pass The PMP Exam Without Burning Out 31:45 Episode Artwork How To Build A Career As A Fractional PM 51:56 Episode Artwork The Retro: How 3 PMs Rebuilt Their Careers After Layoffs 21:58 Episode Artwork How To Use OKRs In Your Project To Amplify Its Business Impact 46:06 Episode Artwork The Retro: How to Negotiate for The Salary You Deserve as a PM 11:27 Episode Artwork How a Shared AI Mindset Can Drive Real Organizational Transformation 46:18 Episode Artwork The Retro: How to Get Promoted and Become a Senior PM 22:50 Episode Artwork How to Pivot into Project Management from Any Career Background 45:18 Episode Artwork The Retro: How to Transition into a Project Management Role 21:27 Episode Artwork How to Master the Delicate Art of Not Knowing Everything as a Technical PM 29:27 Episode Artwork What’s Coming Up for The Digital Project Manager and The DPM Podcast 17:33 Episode Artwork How to Create a Policy and Process for Ending Toxic Client Relationships 31:13 Episode Artwork Beyond Prompts: How to Use AI for Smarter Project Management 40:36 Episode Artwork How to Build Impactful Rapport With Your Clients 38:22 Episode Artwork How To Help Project Teams Embrace And Ace Project Presentations 47:30 Episode Artwork The New Purpose of the PMO & Why Your Org Still Needs One 47:34 Episode Artwork Top Traits of High-Performing Project Managers & How to Cultivate Them 38:43 Episode Artwork How To Transition From Project Management To Consulting (And Alternatives) 42:52 Episode Artwork How to Win at Your First 90 Days in a New PM Role 45:01 Episode Artwork How to Get Your Team Out Of Process Documentation Hell Using AI & Automation 44:14