Pioneering AI for Project Leaders

Today we’re joined by René Clayton, an AI strategist, PMP, author, & transformation leader with 20+ years in financial services, IT, & emerging tech.

As founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Byte Strategy, René helps small businesses & fintechs bridge the gap between project management and AI. With MIT training and deep experience in automation and AI strategy, she shares how project managers can embrace technology with confidence & lead in an AI-driven world.

In this episode, René takes us from her early career in project management to her current role shaping AI strategy, offering practical advice on how PMs can stay relevant, resilient, & future ready. 🚀

Episode Highlights

1:42 – How René got started in PM
 2:40 – Earning her PMP & senior PM role at a credit union
 3:20 – Early planner: bridal event coordinator at 18
 4:30 – Taking on roles she didn’t yet know: “Commit and figure it out”
 5:30 – Why you should glue yourself to subject matter experts
 5:50 – Converting 800 credit unions & the camaraderie of success
 6:45 – Project health colors: don’t fear “red” projects
 8:12 – Ethically bound to tell the truth at all times
 10:18 – Leading an online credit card platform change with many stakeholders
 11:44 – Awakening to AI a decade ago, calling it “Augmented Intelligence”
 13:23 – Diving into RPA, NLP, ML, chatbots, IoT, & AI strategy
 16:04 – Generative AI & staying in touch with the niche
 17:00 – René’s vision: how AI can assist PMs & why you must get comfortable with tools
 18:42 – AI changes daily, so yesterday’s knowledge isn’t enough
 22:00 – Talking about HeyGen for Agentic Clones
 24:00 – Future-proofing your PM career by playing with AI today
 25:00 – René’s favorite AI models & how she uses them
 27:00 – Using AI to consolidate artifacts & interact with docs
 29:00 – Security around GPTs
 32:00 – Hallucinations, GPT drift, & when you might not need AI at all
 33:00 – Consulting with Byte Strategy to help companies discern the right path
 35:00 – Why EI (emotional intelligence) & AI go hand in hand
 36:00 – Relational prompting & strategies to talk with AI
 37:00 – Ethics, compliance, & why a PM must stay in the loop
 38:00 – Core competency: conversing with AI
 39:00 – Be curious, play, have fun, & keep learning

Referenced Book: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollack

Books by René Clayton

How to Talk to Anyone with Ease: 21 Actionable Skills for Young Adults

Women’s Success in Corporate Leadership

Cómo Hablar Con Cualquier Persona Con Facilidad (Spanish Ed.)

Generative AI: For Women Who Mean Business, A Workbook

Project Insight Website

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