Today we’re joined by René Clayton, an AI strategist, PMP, author, and transformation leader with over 20 years in financial services, IT, and emerging tech.
As founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Byte Strategy, René helps small businesses and fintechs bridge the gap between project management and AI. With training from MIT and years of experience in automation and AI strategy, she shares how project managers can embrace new technology with confidence and lead in an AI-driven world.
In this episode, René takes us from her early career in project management to her current role shaping AI strategy, and she offers practical advice on how PMs can stay relevant, resilient, and future ready. 🚀
Episode Highlights
1:42 – How René got started in project management
2:40 – Earning her PMP and starting out in a senior PM role at a credit union
3:20 – Early natural planner: bridal event coordinator at 18
4:30 – Taking on roles she did not yet know how to do: “Commit and figure it out”
5:30 – Why you should glue yourself to subject matter experts
5:50 – Converting 800 credit unions to a new platform and the camaraderie of success
6:45 – Project health colors: do not be afraid of “red” projects
8:12 – Ethically bound to tell the truth of the project at all times
10:18 – Leading an online credit card banking platform change with multiple stakeholders
11:44 – Awakening to AI a decade ago, calling it “Augmented Intelligence”
13:23 – Diving into RPA, NLP, ML, chatbots, IoT, and AI strategy
16:04 – Generative AI and staying in touch with the niche
17:00 – René’s vision: how AI can assist PMs and why you must get comfortable with the tools
18:42 – AI changes daily, so yesterday’s knowledge is not enough
22:00 – Talking about HeyGen for Agentic Clones
24:00 – Future proofing your PM career by playing with AI today
25:00 – René’s favorite AI models and how she uses them
27:00 – Using AI to consolidate artifacts and interact with documents
29:00 – Security around GPTs
32:00 – Hallucinations, GPT drift, and when you might not need AI at all
33:00 – Consulting with Byte Strategy to help companies discern the right path
35:00 – Why EI (emotional intelligence) and AI go hand in hand
36:00 – Relational prompting and strategies to talk with AI
37:00 – Ethics, compliance, and the importance of a PM in the loop
38:00 – Core competency: being able to converse with AI technology
39:00 – René’s closing advice: be curious, play, have fun, and keep learning
Books by René Clayton
How to Talk to Anyone with Ease: 21 Actionable Skills for Young Adults
Women’s Success in Corporate Leadership
Cómo Hablar Con Cualquier Persona Con Facilidad (Spanish Edition)
Generative AI: For Women Who Mean Business, A Workbook
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Sponsored by: Project Insight Project & Portfolio Management Software. Helping growing companies automate, execute, and measure project work across teams, systems, and portfolios. www.projectinsight.com
