Artificial intelligence reshapes consulting industry

Since the public breakthrough of generative AI, many wonder whether companies still need consultants. AI systems can produce market analyses, compare strategies, evaluate business models and draft presentations within seconds—tasks that previously required weeks of work by consulting teams.

The automation threatens the traditional consulting model built on information arbitrage, but the article argues that consulting will not disappear. Instead, a split will emerge between commoditized advice that can be automated and higher‑value services that rely on human judgment, relationship building and the handling of unspoken conflicts.

Most major corporate decisions fail because of human factors rather than missing data. AI cannot observe the dynamics of a meeting, sense tension among shareholders, or build the trust needed for implementation. Consultants who focus on these non‑analytical aspects are expected to retain relevance in the AI era.