The consulting industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation as major firms try to become “AI-native” rather than simply adding AI tools to traditional consulting work. Business Insider reports that firms such as KPMG, PwC, EY and McKinsey are embedding AI into core services, hiring large numbers of technologists and redesigning employee training. The traditional consulting model—built around teams producing reports, presentations and strategic recommendations—is increasingly shifting toward delivering working technology, automated systems and longer-term operational support.
The change is also blurring the boundary between consulting and technology companies. Partnerships with companies such as OpenAI, Nvidia and Microsoft are becoming increasingly important, while Accenture says roughly 40% of its revenue now comes from AI- and technology-related services. Consulting firms are consequently building capabilities that combine business strategy with software engineering, data science and AI implementation. This reflects a broader industry shift in which clients increasingly want consultants not only to tell them what to do, but to help build and operate the systems that deliver the result.
This transformation is changing the skills expected from consultants. Technical fluency, critical thinking and judgment are becoming more important alongside traditional communication and business skills. Boston Consulting Group, for example, is training employees through a four-level AI programme ranging from basic AI concepts to programming AI agents, while encouraging consultants to combine technical capabilities with human judgment. The emphasis is increasingly on professionals who can bridge business problems and AI systems rather than specialists who operate exclusively in one domain.
The bigger question is whether AI will fundamentally change the economics of consulting. If agents can perform research, analysis and implementation work that once required large teams of junior consultants, firms may need fewer people for traditional delivery while placing greater value on senior judgment, client relationships and technical leadership. At the same time, clients may increasingly expect measurable outcomes rather than paying simply for hours of consulting work. The emerging model is therefore less about consultants using AI and more about consulting firms becoming technology-enabled organizations that combine human expertise with AI agents, software and continuous delivery.
