AI fluency isn’t about knowing the latest tools, collecting certificates, or casually dropping “agentic” into a meeting. It’s about knowing where AI fits into the work—and where human judgment still matters most. Justin Bateh joins Galen Low to unpack why the real advantage comes from building an operating layer above AI’s increasingly capable execution layer.

They dig into what separates genuine AI fluency from familiarity, why hands-on practice and feedback matter, and what employers can do to build capability without turning AI training into homework. They also explore a bigger career question: when technical skills are becoming easier to replicate, what makes a project leader’s career durable?

Resources from this episode:

• Join the Digital Project Manager Community
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts
• Connect with Justin on LinkedIn
• Visit AI Operators Lab and Tactical Memo

Projects are, in many ways, a collection of decisions. But when work is moving fast, information is scattered, and the stakes are high, making a well-informed call isn’t always straightforward. AI can pull together more context than any one person could realistically hold in their head—but that doesn’t mean we should hand over the decision-making reins.

Galen Low sits down with Cali Collins, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Optimality, to explore how AI can support better decisions without removing humans from the equation. They dig into decision context, bias, traceability, accountability, and why the rise of AI could actually make project leaders more—not less—important.

Resources from this episode:

• Join the Digital Project Manager Community
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts
• Connect with Cali on LinkedIn
• Visit Optimality

Government projects are often dismissed as slow, bureaucratic, and overly reliant on expensive consultants. But according to William Moroz, that narrative is increasingly outdated. Drawing on experience across both government and consulting, William explains how modern public sector teams are leading ambitious, mission-driven initiatives with a stronger focus on accountability, transparency, and measurable public value.

In this conversation, Galen and William explore how AI is reshaping government procurement, why collaboration is replacing traditional vendor relationships, and what it really takes to become a trusted government collaborator. From auditability and AI literacy to balancing innovation with responsible governance, this episode offers a grounded look at delivering technology that serves citizens—not just stakeholders.

Resources from this episode:

• Join the Digital Project Manager Community
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts
• Connect with William on LinkedIn