Our team sat down with Joel Abiera, a Senior Scrum Master at Seven Peaks, to seek his opinion on the role of AI in project management.
Prior to joining Seven Peaks, Joel worked at an online booking company in Thailand and at various financial and banking institutions in the Philippines. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joel was forced out of his role in finance, which pushed him to look for a career change. When a new job opportunity came up, Joel didn’t hesitate and joined Seven Peaks as a Technical Project Manager, later moving into a Senior Scrum Master role.
Despite having over a decade’s worth of transferable skills from the finance sector, he wasn’t up to speed with fundamental technical terms in software development. This proved to be challenging, especially during his first few months into a role that required in-depth technical knowledge and understanding. However, that didn’t stop Joel from advancing in his new position. He would spend an hour every day learning new technical terminology.
Combining his extensive experience in non-IT industries with domain-specific knowledge, Joel was placed on large client projects alongside solution architects, lead developers and product owners where he witnessed several changes in project management, including the integration of AI.
Now in his third year as a project leader at Seven Peaks, Joel has successfully delivered numerous projects for clients such as Rever Automotive, Naeva, and Appsens Pro—demonstrating strong leadership, clear communication, and sharp problem-solving skills. His recent work with Seven Peaks Norway, the company's sister branch, brought valuable insights into the role cultural differences play when managing international clients and partners.
“In Norway, innovation is deeply rooted in social progress and sustainability. Technology is thoughtfully designed to support personal well-being and adapt to various lifestyle needs. You’ll often discover new apps every day—there are solutions focused on healthcare, support for retail workers, and even tools designed for dogs! In contrast, in Southeast Asian cities like Bangkok or Manila, innovation is much more focused on speed, efficiency, and convenience,” Joel explained. “That’s why you can’t simply copy-paste your approach. What works for clients in Southeast Asia may not work in Norway, and vice versa. The cultures are distinct. To manage these differences effectively, you need to fully immerse yourself in their working styles and understand the product through their lens,” said Joel.
Cultural understanding is shaped through real human experiences and meaningful interactions—elements that remain essential, even in an age of advancing AI. While artificial intelligence will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of project leadership, it's unlikely to ever fully replace the human role at its core.
For Joel, the idea that AI will replace Project Leaders in the tech industry is an overstatement. He believes that human leadership remains vital to the successful delivery of complex, technical projects.
“You can’t take the human factor out of project management,” he explains. “In a professional environment, you’re working with diverse, often international teams. Every team member—whether a solution architect, project coordinator, product owner, developer, or quality engineer—brings a unique perspective and approach. Project Leaders, including Scrum Masters, play a key role in bridging those differences and enabling collaboration. As long as people are part of the process, there will always be a need for human connection.”
“Project leadership roles aren’t going away. If anything, they’re evolving. With AI supporting our workflows, these roles will become even more focused on strategy, collaboration, and human connection.”
Joel emphasized that at the heart of effective project leadership is a deep understanding of people.
“Learning the technical language is one thing—but truly connecting with your team is what sets great leaders apart,” he shared. “As a Project Leader, you're not just steering a technical delivery. You're also navigating the needs, motivations, and working styles of the people who make that delivery possible. To succeed, you need more than just domain expertise—you need empathy, open-mindedness, and the ability to relate on a human level.”
He also reflected on how these qualities become even more critical as AI becomes more embedded in how teams work.
“Going back to our discussion about AI—this is exactly what I want to highlight. No matter how advanced it gets, AI can't replicate genuine human connection,” Joel noted. “AI is evolving fast, and we should focus on using it to support us—not replace us. It can be a powerful assistant, helping with tasks like drafting client emails or generating tickets, so we can spend more time focusing on what truly matters: leading people.”
“Here’s some advice for aspiring Project Leaders: focus on building strong relationships with the people around you,” Joel advises. “That doesn’t mean you should overlook your domain expertise. If you’re passionate about application development and consulting, roles like Project Leader or Scrum Master could be a great fit. These roles often require wearing many hats—one moment you might be acting as a product owner, the next, supporting the development team.”
Joel also encourages junior and aspiring Project Leaders to stay curious and embrace new technologies. “Success comes down to how quickly you can adapt—to new people, new environments, and new tools,” he explains.
“I like to think of success in project leadership through the ‘three B’s’: Brain—building solid knowledge; Buddy—learning from mentors and peers; and Books—continuously expanding your understanding.”
Reflecting on his professional journey, Joel shared how continuous learning and adaptation have been key to his growth as a project leader at Seven Peaks.
“At Seven Peaks, the opportunities to learn and grow are truly endless. My journey has been both challenging and rewarding—a wild ride that took me three years to reach where I am today, working closely with a talented team of product owners, developers, and specialists on exciting, cutting-edge projects.
When I first started, I was new not only to project leadership but also to the technical language and concepts like CI/CD, UX/UI design, and version control. Over time, through hands-on experience and the support of my colleagues, I developed a strong understanding of these areas. Alongside this technical growth, my finance background has helped me approach project challenges with analytical rigor and strategic thinking, balancing both technical and business perspectives.
I’m also fascinated by how AI is shaping the future of project management. While AI can assist with routine tasks and improve efficiency, I believe the human element—empathy, collaboration, and leadership—remains irreplaceable. My focus is on leveraging AI as a tool to empower teams and enhance our work rather than replace the essential human connections that drive success.
I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities Seven Peaks has given me and, more importantly, for the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to learn from and collaborate with. It’s this blend of continuous learning, diverse experience, and strong relationships that has made all the difference in my journey.”
Seven Peaks is a passionate driver of digital transformation for clients in Asia and around the world. Interested in becoming a part of our growing team? Contact us directly at https://sevenpeakssoftware.com/contact/ or call +6620263292.
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Joel Abiera, Senior Scrum Master at Seven Peaks Joel has over fifteen years of experience leading projects that bring innovative tech solutions to life and help businesses grow. He started his career in finance, working in areas like financial analysis, credit control, and risk management, before moving into software development leadership. Joel loves working with diverse teams, making sure everyone collaborates smoothly and projects stay on track. He’s all about connecting project goals to the bigger business picture and creating a positive, high-energy environment where teams can really thrive. |