Deltek, a global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, has unveiled its AI-powered tool, Deltek Dela, designed to boost efficiency in project delivery. This new feature harnesses AI capabilities and extends across Deltek's entire product suite, assisting users with business intelligence, automation and aid.

Dela, the intelligent business companion, is designed to transform project success by enhancing productivity, accuracy, and value across the entire project lifecycle. It responds to both voice and text commands, promptly retrieving knowledge, performing tasks and helping share information. The tool can analyse large amounts of information to give critical insights, predict project success based on historical and organisational performance data, and make decisions on everything from resource needs to project staffing. The resultant cost savings can make projects significantly more profitable.

This launch precedes Deltek Project Nation Live and coincides with upcoming research from Deltek that underlines the growing significance of AI in project lifecycles. According to the soon-to-be-published Clarity 2024: Trends & Insights for Architecture, Engineering and Consulting Firms report, 67% of firms predict they will lose market share within two years if they do not embrace substantial digital transformation, and AI is increasingly regarded as a pivotal solution to this threat.

The same report suggests that investment in AI in 2024 will provide a significant competitive advantage for 74% of firms and improve job satisfaction for 72% of their staff. Moreover, two-thirds of firms surveyed are confident that investment in AI will enhance their service delivery, and 41% believe it will ultimately boost their profits. In addition to this, over 80% of firms plan profit increases this year.

Dela, enhancing user experience via natural language conversations and prompts, inherits traits from Deltek's existing generative AI-powered Smart Summaries. It equips project managers with intelligent predictions and gives them automation capabilities. Bret Tushaus, Vice President of Product Strategy at Deltek, commented, "We created Dela to meet this business need, providing project-based businesses with the technology needed to launch new services, increase staff engagement and ultimately, boost profits. Today, we're thrilled to launch Dela, an integral part of Deltek's industry-leading suite of solutions, providing intelligent prediction and automation capabilities — it's like having a crystal ball for project management."

While developing Dela, Deltek has ensured that trust and security remain paramount, according to a statement from the company. It has continuously collaborated with its generative AI partners to ensure that customer data is not used to train large language models (LLMs). Customers therefore have a choice as to whether they wish to opt into using Dela's features.