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New research that surveyed more than 440 project managers worldwide has highlighted the critical connection between mindfulness and the adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in the workplace. Lead author of the study, Dr. Eden Li from the School of Business and Law at Edith Cowan University (ECU) said that effective GenAI adoption requires not only technical skills but also mindfulness to navigate its complexities and challenges.

GenAI is powered by advanced algorithms that generate original content. It is transforming how we gather information, create knowledge, and operate businesses, with global investment projected to reach $151.1 billion by 2027. Global annual investment in projects is estimated at $48 trillion, with forecasts suggesting that by 2030, up to 80% of project management tasks could be handled by AI technologies.

"The integration of GenAI holds great potential to transform the project management profession, which can bring both substantial benefits and significant disruption," Dr. Li said.

Through a two-wave, time-lagged design survey, the research, published in the International Journal of Project Management, revealed how mindfulness supports project managers in leveraging GenAI technologies to innovate work practices.

The research is a collaboration between ECU’s School of Business and Law (Dr. Eden Li and Associate Professor Laurie Hughes) and Curtin University.

"Project managers with higher mindfulness levels tend to be more open, attentive, and creative in crafting their immediate work environment. This, in turn, encourages project managers to explore how GenAI can optimize workflows, and ultimately improve the frequency and effectiveness of GenAI use," Dr. Li explained.

"In an era where emerging technologies are transforming traditional project management practices, our findings provide timely guidance on developing mindfulness, and job crafting strategies to support project innovation."

Dr. Li and Associate Professor Hughes shared four key insights for business leaders and project professionals:

• GenAI won’t "transform projects" on its own—people will. How project managers think and adapt is a stronger success driver than the technology itself.
• Mindfulness is a hidden performance advantage in the GenAI era. More mindful project managers are more likely to turn GenAI into a practical tool for getting work done, especially by staying attentive, flexible, and open to new approaches.
• The "bridge" to real impact is job redesign, not hype. Mindfulness fuels job crafting—proactively reshaping tasks and workflows—which then boosts both how much GenAI is used and how well it’s used.
• Complex projects are where this matters most. In high-complexity work, a curiosity-driven mindset becomes even more valuable—helping managers explore, experiment, and integrate GenAI more effectively.

More information: Keyao Li et al, Leveraging generative AI for project management: The role of mindfulness and job crafting, International Journal of Project Management (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2026.102816

Citation: How mindfulness can support GenAI use in transforming project management (2026, February 4) retrieved 4 February 2026 from https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-mindfulness-genai.html

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