Article 1: "Is AI Really Killing the Consulting Industry?"
By Jason Doudt Strategic Enterprise Account Executive | Co-Founder | Technology & Innovation Enthusiast | Business Strategy Advisor
AI and the Future of Consulting: Opportunity, Not Obsolescence
Introduction: Debunking the Myth
The claim that artificial intelligence is replacing consultants is gaining traction, particularly from vendors eager to promote AI as a standalone solution. But this assertion is misleading, especially for the small to mid-sized business (SMB) sector and the consultants who serve them. The consulting profession is not facing extinction. It is undergoing transformation.
The Reality: AI as a Catalyst, Not a Competitor
From top-tier firms like McKinsey, Deloitte, and Accenture to agile boutique consultancies, industry leaders are not being replaced by AI—they are investing heavily in it. Accenture, for example, is investing $3 billion to scale its AI practice and double its AI-skilled workforce to 80,000 (Reuters, 2024). EY has committed $1.4 billion to building its own large language model and training all 400,000 employees to use AI tools effectively (EY, 2024).
But perhaps more importantly, smaller firms are showing how AI can be used to sharpen focus and increase value. Firms like AI REV and Unity Advisory specialize in AI-powered service delivery, applying intelligent automation, and analytics to enhance outcomes for clients in sales, finance, and marketing (AI REV, 2024; Consulting.us, 2024).
Efficiency and Ethics: A Shift in Engagement Models
AI’s biggest impact isn’t in replacing people, it’s in speeding up analysis, task automation, and strategy design. But that speed creates an ethical crossroads. With faster delivery times and streamlined operations, clients are rightly beginning to question traditional billing structures. RSM US notes the rise of value-based billing models as firms move away from hourly pricing to reflect AI-driven efficiencies (RSM US, 2024).
Forward-thinking consultants must embrace this shift. Transparency around how AI accelerates delivery and reduces costs is essential for maintaining trust and deepening client relationships. Firms that adopt this hybrid human-AI model, one that prioritizes honesty and measurable value, will stand out.
What SMBs Need from Consultants in the AI Era
For SMBs, the challenge has never been access to information. The internet and AI tools provide that in abundance. The challenge is time, capacity, and expertise. SMB leadership teams are often overwhelmed by daily operations, leaving little room for strategic implementation of new solutions, and of course budget/cost, even if AI helps identify them.
This is where consultants come in: not to supply generic advice, but to implement customized, actionable strategies. AI can offer blueprints, but consultants bring the tools, context, and leadership to turn those plans into reality.
Take Unity Advisory, a firm founded by former EY and PwC executives. They deliver tailored services without audit conflicts, focusing solely on adding measurable value to clients (Consulting.us, 2024). Similarly, Perceptis leverages AI to enhance business development efficiency for SMBs (Small and Medium-sized Businesses) — also referred to internationally as SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) — reducing costs while increasing scalability (Business Insider, 2024). I also want to highlight two small standout teams I’ve recently engaged with and highly recommend: Andrew MacLean and Jonathan Else at Spark Engine , and Tudor Matei at Matei Consulting LLC. Both are laser-focused on AI technology and its correct application to help businesses grow, optimize operations, and boost efficiency.
Conclusion: Embracing the Hybrid Model
AI will not kill consulting. But it will reshape it. The firms that resist this shift, clinging to outdated billing practices or shielding inefficiencies, will lose relevance. Those who embrace AI to accelerate timelines, improve quality, and reduce costs will not only survive, but thrive.
The future belongs to consultants who are as transparent as they are innovative. For SMBs, this means seeking partners who integrate human experience with AI-driven capability to drive real transformation.
Final Thought The consulting industry isn’t dying. It’s evolving. The winners will be those who combine technology with trust, implementation with insight, and speed with strategy. In this new era, AI-augmented consulting is not only more effective, it’s more accessible and aligned with the true needs of small to mid-sized businesses.
Stay tuned for Article 2: "What AI Does Well, and Where Human Consultants Excel."
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