Using artificial intelligence and cognitive analysis in managing communication risks of international projects

International projects face heightened communication risks, especially in multilingual and multicultural environments. This study investigated whether an AI-enabled cognitive communication risk management tool could reduce miscommunication, improve response times, and enhance task alignment in Ukraine-linked international project teams. A quasi-experimental design was applied to 12 project teams (n = 168) across engineering, IT services, and humanitarian logistics sectors. Six teams implemented the AI intervention—featuring automated translation, sentiment analysis, predictive delay modelling, and a project management dashboard—over three months, while six teams used standard communication practices. Data from communication logs, task records, and validated surveys were analyzed using difference-in-differences analysis, paired t-tests, and ANCOVA, controlling for team size, project type, and baseline efficiency. Results showed that the intervention group achieved a 49.8% reduction in communication errors, a 32.5% improvement in response time, and an 11.4% increase in task alignment accuracy (all p < .001). Perceived communication quality also improved significantly (p < .01). Overall, the AI-based tool substantially enhanced communication efficiency and accuracy in complex, multilingual international project settings.