Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not replace project managers but should be adopted as a tool to improve project delivery, the Project Management Institute (PMI) Malawi Chapter has said.

Speaking during the organisation's first-ever Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lilongwe, PMI Malawi President Kondwani Mtalimanja urged professionals to embrace AI responsibly, saying the technology should support, rather than lead, project implementation.

"AI is good, but it is a tool," said Mtalimanja. "AI is not going to take over leadership of our projects, but AI is going to help us deliver projects better."

He said AI can help organisations identify and manage risks, speed up report preparation and improve efficiency, but stressed that human leadership, decision-making and collaboration remain central to successful project delivery.

His remarks come at a time when Malawi faces significant challenges in preparing young people for an AI-driven future. A newly released Commonwealth Youth AI Readiness Index ranked Malawi last among 56 Commonwealth countries, scoring 26.3 out of 100 against a benchmark score of 53.

The study found that limited access to electricity, internet connectivity and digital tools is slowing young people's ability to benefit from emerging technologies and threatening the country's ability to tap into an estimated US$216 million AI-driven economic opportunity.

According to the report, only 27.4 percent of young Malawians use the internet, while 42 percent own mobile phones. High mobile data costs relative to incomes were also cited as a major barrier to regular use of online services and AI-powered tools.

The report identified five priority areas for improving AI readiness: affordable and reliable access to technology, practical digital skills training, stronger links between education and employment, development of AI tools tailored to local languages and needs, and safeguards that enable young people to question automated decisions.

Against this backdrop, Mtalimanja said Malawi must develop practical mechanisms for adopting AI responsibly and ensuring that project managers can leverage the technology to improve project outcomes.

"We need to use it sensibly, but most importantly, we need to have adoption mechanisms," he said. "Project managers, people in the tech sector and other stakeholders must work together to understand how we can adopt and implement AI in projects in Malawi."

Mtalimanja said the inaugural AGM also promoted a culture of purposeful and collaborative project delivery, especially as Malawi pursues the aspirations of Malawi 2063.

"We have a lot of projects that we do, but we need to understand the purpose. Why are we doing them? How are we going to progress? What resources are required and who needs to be involved?" he said.

He described power not as authority over others, but as the ability of stakeholders across the public, private and non-governmental sectors to work together in delivering national development projects.

"Project delivery is all about stakeholder engagement. Knowing who the other stakeholder is, what they are doing and valuing their contribution is what is going to help all of us work together to deliver these projects," he said.

Meanwhile, keynote speaker and Eris Properties Chief Executive Officer Washington Chimuzu challenged project managers to deliver greater impact as public expectations continue to grow.

"The key message is that people want more. People want to see more results and more outcomes beyond the projects that are being undertaken," said Chimuzu. "Project managers should also be able to give more of themselves and to be more in order to make an impact."

Addressing concerns about corruption and poor project performance, Chimuzu said PMI-certified professionals are guided by a code of ethics that places a strong emphasis on integrity, expressing confidence that PMI members would play a leading role in improving project outcomes and restoring public confidence in project implementation.

"I see hope and expectation that these project managers are going to make a positive impact in addressing concerns about the performance of projects, including corruption," he said.

The AGM brought together project management professionals and stakeholders to discuss strengthening project delivery, promoting professional standards and exploring emerging technologies such as AI as enablers of national development.