2025 - All Episodes

The AI Index Report 2025, published annually by Stanford University, is a key global reference that tracks the progress, trends, and impact of artificial intelligence. In this podcast, Ricardo highlights how AI is advancing rapidly, reshaping industries, and demanding new skills from professionals, especially in project management. He emphasizes the growing influence of AI on productivity, innovation, and education, as well as its ethical challenges and global implications. The report shows that AI is no longer hype, but it’s a transformative force shaping our work, society, and future, requiring leaders to adapt with agility and strategic vision.

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#artificialinteligence, #futureofprojectmanager, #strategy


Stanford’s AI Index Report: 11 Key Takeaways for Project Leaders

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the importance of staying calm when everything seems out of control. He shares eight practical tips for dealing with moments of chaos in projects — from doing a reality check to taking care of your well-being. Ricardo highlights that under pressure, common sense is often the first thing to go, and impulsive decisions tend to make things worse. That’s why creating strategic pauses, seeking support from trusted people, and going back to the basics of the project can be key to regaining focus. By communicating clearly and accepting uncertainty as part of the process, the project manager can navigate with balance even in the middle of turbulence.
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In the Eye of the Storm: How to Stay Calm Amid Uncertainty

In this episode, Ricardo discusses a case involving the CEO of Astronomer, who was caught with a subordinate during a concert, leading to both of their departures from the company. The episode highlights three main lessons: (1) A leader's reputation is a strategic asset, directly linked to the company's image. (2) There is no longer a separation between personal and professional life; behavior outside of work also impacts the organization. (3) Organizational culture begins with leadership, and misconduct can compromise the company's governance and credibility. The case serves as a warning about how individual attitudes can negatively impact projects, teams, and business broadly and immediately.

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Leadership in Crisis: 3 Lessons for Projects from the Astronomer Case

In this episode, Ricardo shares five tips to optimize meetings. First, keep them short and focused—long calls often waste time. Second, ask if a meeting is truly necessary; many decisions can be handled via Slack or email. Third, when a meeting is needed, send a clear agenda and define objectives in advance. Fourth, use AI tools to record and summarize meetings so participants can focus on the discussion. Tools like Claude help create action-based summaries. Fifth, assign a facilitator to keep the meeting on track and ensure outcomes turn into actions. Finally, gather team feedback to improve future meetings. Effective meetings can truly accelerate project success.

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#artificialintelligence, #communication, #timemanagement


Cut the Talk, Keep the Impact: 5 Tips for Better Meetings in the times of AI

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the impact of the AI Act, the European regulation on artificial intelligence (General-Purpose AI models). The law, passed in 2024 and fully in force in 2026, began imposing strict rules on general-purpose AI models such as GPT, Claude, and Gemini on August 2, 2025. Projects using these AIs, even for simple integration, must also follow ethical, privacy, and transparency requirements. This changes the role of the project manager, who now needs to ensure legal compliance. Despite criticism that the law limits innovation, Ricardo emphasizes that it signals technological maturity. For him, adapting is essential to avoid risks and add value to projects.

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#artificialintelligence, #globalprojects, #negotiation

General-Purpose AI in the Spotlight: What the EU AI Act Means for Your Projects

In this episode, Ricardo explores the paradox of projects that were executed with excellence — on time, on budget, and within the original scope — but ultimately fail to deliver real value because the world changed during execution. The pandemic, accelerated digital transformation, new regulations, or even political and social shifts can make what was promised at the start of the project no longer relevant at the time of delivery.

Project Delivered, Relevance Lost: When Reality Outpaces Your Scope

Hello

Thanks for visiting my profile. 

I am an experienced leader in global operations, project management, business transformation, and crisis management. My main focus is implementing innovative global initiatives, capital projects, and product development. I have directed dozens of projects across industries and continents, managing more than $20 billion in global initiatives over the past 25 years.

I am a seasoned board member who has participated in the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC) board member program. I was the first Latin American to become chairman of the board of the Project Management Institute globally, where I served for four years. I am also a member of the advisory board of Yera, an Estonian startup dedicated to improving employee performance and engagement through technology and artificial intelligence.

I share my expertise with millions of professionals around the globe through my "5 Minutes Podcast," which I have hosted since 2007 and has reached 12 million views. I've written 16 books on project management, risk and crisis management, and transformation, which have been translated into six languages and sold over half a million copies.

I am a seasoned speaker and have delivered over 250 keynote addresses in 40 countries. My influence on the sector was affirmed when I became the first Latin American to be elected Chairman of the Project Management Institute.

My work as a venture capitalist and entrepreneur in artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, chatbots, and machine learning resulted in tools and products that have revolutionized how users bring agility and agile management into project management software.

More than two decades ago, I founded Macrosolutions, a global consulting firm with international operations in energy, infrastructure, IT, oil, and finance.

Between 2016 and 2020, I envisioned and led the Brightline Initiative, a Project Management Institute think tank in partnership with leading organizations dedicated to helping executives bridge the expensive, unproductive gap between strategy design and delivery.

Before Brightline, I was Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Infrastructure and Project Management Group, leading over 1,000 projects and $1.2 billion in humanitarian and development projects. I was also responsible for the first ESG Report in the UN System, published in 2015.

I have a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, and a master's degree in Industrial Engineering.

Stanford’s AI Index Report: 11 Key Takeaways for Project Leaders

Ricardo Viana Vargas - 5 Minutes Podcast