AI for project managers: courses, PDUs and certification

Which AI course should a project manager take first?

PMI's own e-learning, in this order. All three are free, all three earn PDUs, and each needs a PMI account.

• Generative AI Overview for Project Managers: 1 hour, beginner, 5 PDUs. Five modules on how generative AI differs from other AI, its uses in project work and ChatGPT techniques. Free for members and non-members.
• Talking to AI: Prompt Engineering for Project Managers: 1 hour, beginner, 3 PDUs. Prompt design, refinement and chaining, with 14 use-case videos from project managers and an 85-page workbook.
• Practical Application of Generative AI for Project Managers: 5 hours, intermediate, 5 PDUs. Hands-on work with AI tools, prompting and workflow automation across eight project areas, from stakeholders and planning to delivery and uncertainty.

Is there an AI course on project data?

PMI's Data Landscape of GenAI for Project Managers takes 5 hours and earns 5 PDUs. It covers which data types suit generative AI models, data quality, governance, ethics and risk, and introduces PMI's Data Landscape Canvas for working through this with colleagues. It is free for PMI members; PMI doesn't show a price for non-members.

Which longer AI courses give project managers a certificate?

Two Coursera series, both paid by subscription and neither free to take, end in a specialization certificate.

• IBM's Generative AI for Project Managers Specialization uses ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and DALL-E across the project lifecycle, including charters and work breakdown structures. It is intermediate, given as "4 weeks to complete at 10 hours a week".
• Skillsbooster Academy's Generative AI for Project Management Specialization takes 23 hours at beginner level. Its first course is Project Management Basics, which suits people new to the role; the last is Microsoft Copilot for Project Management.

If your team works in Google Workspace, Google's free AI Boost Bootcamp: How to Use Gemini at Work 101 spends 1 hour on Gemini for prompts, project management, presentations and aligning stakeholders, with a completion badge.

How much does the PMI-CPMAI certification cost?

The PMI Certified Professional in Managing AI (PMI-CPMAI) costs $699 for PMI members and $899 at full price. Both prices cover the certification and an exam prep course. Before spending that, the free PMI courses above cost nothing but time and show whether AI project work holds your interest.