In this episode of Disambiguation, I had the pleasure of welcoming back Warren Linscott, SVP of Product Strategy at Deltek, where we explored the significant advancements in their AI strategy, particularly through their AI assistant, Dela. Over the past year, Deltek has made remarkable progress in leveraging AI to enhance project management for project-based businesses.

Warren shared insights into the various capabilities of Dela, which now includes smart summaries, intelligent search and retrieval, task automation, and even anomaly detection. These features are designed to help businesses streamline operations, reduce mundane tasks, and focus on more meaningful work. We discussed how Dela can assist in generating project summaries, analyzing data, and automating approvals, ultimately allowing project managers to spend more time on billable activities.

We also touched on the growing trend of AI adoption among small and mid-sized businesses, which are embracing these technologies at a faster rate than larger enterprises. Warren highlighted the importance of freeing up resources in these organizations, particularly in areas like staffing and resource management, where Dela can provide valuable insights and match skills to project requirements.

As we dig deeper, we examined the role of AI throughout the project lifecycle, from identifying new opportunities to managing project execution and financial reporting. Warren emphasized the need for businesses to adapt to the changing landscape, particularly as younger generations enter the workforce with expectations for AI-driven solutions.

Towards the end of our conversation, we discussed the challenges of AI adoption, including fears of job loss and the importance of education and communication in overcoming these barriers. Warren encouraged business leaders to embrace AI as a tool for augmentation rather than replacement, urging them to take the first steps toward integrating these technologies into their operations.

Finally, I asked Warren for a recommendation, and he suggested following Jason Dorsey, who speaks on generational differences in the workplace, a topic that is increasingly relevant as we navigate the evolving dynamics of work and technology.

This episode provided valuable insights into the transformative potential of AI in project-based businesses and the importance of proactive leadership in embracing these changes.