AI, Agile & the Future of Project Delivery: Michael Gold

<p>AI won&#39;t necessarily replace project managers, but it could completely change what the job looks like.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of the Everyday Agile Podcast, I sit down with Michael Gold to talk about AI, project management, Agile, vibe coding, product development and the future of professional services.</p><p><br></p><p>Michael has built an AI-native Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform, Aria, using a combination of AI, vibe coding, Lovable and traditional software development.</p><p><br></p><p>We get into the reality behind building an AI product, including what vibe coding can and can&#39;t do, why building a B2B product is different, how software engineers reacted to the code, and why human design and engineering expertise still matter.</p><p><br></p><p>We also explore what AI means for project managers and delivery professionals.</p><p><br></p><p>If AI can automate project plans, status reports, risk identification and other administrative work, what should project managers actually spend their time doing?</p><p><br></p><p>Michael&#39;s answer is that the future isn&#39;t necessarily fewer project managers. It&#39;s project managers spending more time on clients, relationships, delivery and the things that actually require people skills.</p><p><br></p><p>We also discuss:</p><p>• What Professional Services Automation (PSA) actually means</p><p>• AI-native project management software</p><p>• Vibe coding and B2B software development</p><p>• Building a product with Lovable</p><p>• The limitations of AI coding tools</p><p>• Product management without being a traditional product manager</p><p>• Product validation and early user feedback</p><p>• AI and project management</p><p>• The changing role of Scrum Masters</p><p>• Why Delivery Managers are becoming more common</p><p>• People over process</p><p>• The future of Agile and project delivery</p><p>• The UK freelance project management market</p><p>• IR35 and contracting</p><p>• Why freelancers need to think like business owners</p><p>• Building a consultancy alongside a SaaS startup</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>▶︎Connect With Michael:</p><p>https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariafounder/</p><p><br></p><p>▶︎Aria</p><p>https://ariaplatform.app/</p><p><br></p><p>▶︎Tickets for Not Another Agile Conference (22 April 2027, Chester Zoo) are on sale.</p><p>https://www.tickettailor.com/events/notanotheragileconference/2178867</p><p><br></p><p>▶︎Our Newsletter:</p><p>https://substack.com/@betweenthestandups</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>▶︎Chapters</p><p>00:00 – Building an AI-Native PSA Tool</p><p>01:24 – From Vibe Coding to a Real Product</p><p>02:20 – What Is Professional Services Automation?</p><p>03:22 – How AI Is Changing PSA Software</p><p>05:18 – AI Project Management and Automated Admin</p><p>06:48 – What an AI Project Management Dashboard Looks Like</p><p>08:18 – Can You Vibe Code a B2B Product?</p><p>09:14 – How Vibe Coding Helps Product Development</p><p>10:17 – Why AI Products Still Need Human Design</p><p>11:22 – What Do Software Engineers Think About Vibe Coding?</p><p>12:13 – The Limits of Lovable for Production Software</p><p>13:22 – The Risks of Building on AI Platforms</p><p>15:14 – Becoming a Product Manager Without Being One</p><p>16:29 – How to Validate an AI Product Idea</p><p>18:08 – PSA vs Project Management Software</p><p>18:40 – Building a Startup While Running a Consultancy</p><p>22:02 – Why Project Management Is Becoming Delivery</p><p>23:41 – Will AI Replace Project Managers?</p><p>24:48 – People Over Process in the AI Era</p><p>26:50 – Scrum Masters vs Delivery Managers</p><p>28:04 – The Problem With Calling Everything AI</p><p>31:07 – The Reality of the UK Freelance Market and IR35</p><p>32:02 – Why Freelancers Need to Find Their Own Clients</p><p>34:36 – Could Freelancers Have Their Own Agents?</p><p>36:39 – What&#39;s Next for the Startup?</p><p>38:02 – Where to Find ARA and Gold Strategic Delivery</p><p><br></p><p>If you work in project