Unveiling the Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Project Governance in Sri Lankan Software Industries

Abstract

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Sri Lankan software industry, project governance stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. While conventional governance frameworks have long guided project execution, they often struggle to keep pace with the complexities and uncertainties of modern software development. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI), a disruptive force poised to redefine project governance by enhancing decision-making, mitigating risks, and optimizing resource allocation. This research navigates on a journey to explore the application and influence of AI on project governance within the Sri Lankan software sector. Using a qualitative approach, this study gathers insights from project managers, IT professionals, and AI specialists, unravelling how AI is integrated into project governance and its tangible effects on project performance. By leveraging in depth interviews and secondary data from industry reports, scholarly articles, and governance frameworks, the study examines the dual nature of AI both as an enabler of efficiency and a source of new governance challenges. The findings reveal that AI-driven tools ranging from predictive analytics to automated compliance tracking can revolutionize project governance by reducing uncertainty and enhancing real-time decision-making. However, the research also uncovers significant barriers, including data quality concerns, ethical dilemmas, and the need for human oversight in AI-driven governance models. Through a synthesis of theoretical perspectives and practical insights, this study offers a roadmap for Sri Lankan software firms aiming to harness AI for more agile, transparent, and effective project governance. By bridging the gap between AI potential and governance realities, this research contributes to the evolving discourse on AI-driven project management, offering strategic recommendations for organizations ready to embrace the future of governance.