The Changing Role of Consulting: How Gen AI is Transforming Organizations Success

Consulting is undergoing a major transformation. Where firms once provided strategic advice, they are now driving change through a mix of technology and innovation.

This shift was evident in a recent engagement conducted with a global vaccine funding organization. This organization needed to improve the speed and accuracy of its overall proposal assessments process. Hence, the implementation of a Generative AI (Gen AI) solution to solve the problem was enabled. This project not only transformed the organization’s operations but also demonstrated how consulting itself is evolving—requiring consultants to adopt new skills, blend strategy with technology, and take a more active role in shaping organizations outcomes.

The New Consulting Landscape: Technology as a Core Competency

Consultants used to focus on industry expertise and operational insights. Now, we must also understand how to integrate technology into the fabric of organizations operations. In the case of the vaccine funding company, traditional methods only couldn’t keep up with the demand for faster and more consistent proposal evaluations. By introducing Gen AI, this organization achieved efficiency while also improving decision-making accuracy.

The shift toward technology means consulting firms must develop new capabilities. We are no longer just advising organizations on strategy; we are advising on the implementation of tech-driven solutions that address real-world problems. The Gen AI tool that was deployed processed historic datasets, evaluated proposals, and reduced manual tasks, showing how technology is now at the center of what we do.

Consultants Need New Skills: From Strategy to Strategy + Tech

As technology becomes more integrated into consulting, the skills we need are evolving. Here’s how:

1. 1. Tech-savviness: Consultants now need a working knowledge of advanced technologies. In the case of Gen AI, our ability to quickly grasp its potential was critical. Not only understanding that AI was needed but also communicating its value and assist this organization through its implementation. Tech skills are no longer optional—they are essential.
   2. Cross-functional collaboration: Solving complex problems requires working closely with diverse teams. Our engagement involved working together with technical specialists to build a solution tailored to the organization’s needs. This interdisciplinary collaboration is now key to consulting success.
   3. Change management: Technology alone doesn’t drive change—people do. As consultants, we must help organizations adjust to new ways of working. In this case, staff concerns over job displacement were managed by focusing on upskilling and showing how AI could support, not replace, their roles. Guiding organizations through this change is as important as delivering the technology itself.
   4. Agility: With rapid technological advances, consultants must be adaptable. This mentioned project started with a simple proof of concept system and then it was scaled up. This ability to quickly adjust and evolve solutions is critical as organizations needs shift.

Consulting Firms as Agents of Change

For consulting firms, this shift to technology is reshaping how the value is delivered. We are no longer just providing advice; we are delivering tangible results through technology. Our work with Gen AI cut proposal review times in half, improving the organization’s ability to fund critical vaccine programs faster.

This focus on outcomes has transformed consulting. Organizations now expect tech-driven solutions that deliver immediate, measurable benefits. As consultants, we are tasked with not only solving strategic problems but also designing and implementing innovative solutions that transform organizations’ operations.

The Broader Impact on Consulting Firms

The integration of AI and other advanced technologies is reshaping the consulting industry in several ways:

1. 1. Increased competition: As consulting firms become more tech-focused, they find themselves competing not just with other consulting firms but also with tech companies. To stand out, firms must offer both the technical expertise, and the strategic insights needed to align technology with business goals.
   2. Rising organizations expectations: Organizations are becoming more knowledgeable about technology, and they expect consultants to provide comprehensive solutions, from strategy through execution. In engagements like our work with the vaccine funding organization, organizations want precise results. Consulting firms must rise to this challenge by delivering efficient, innovative solutions.
   3. Consulting talent evolution: The consultants of tomorrow must be well-versed in both strategy and technology. Firms need to hire and train consultants who can think strategically while also understanding how to deploy advanced tools like AI. Developing these skills will be essential for the future of the industry.

Conclusion: The Future of Consulting

The consulting industry is evolving rapidly. As we embrace technologies like AI, consultants are shifting from advisors to change agents who drive real results. Our engagement with the vaccine funding organization showed how the integration of AI into organizations operations can lead to faster, smarter decisions.

For consulting firms, the future demands a new skill set. Consultants must combine strategic thinking with technological fluency and change management expertise to deliver solutions that meet the challenges of today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world. By adapting quickly and leading with innovation, consulting firms can continue to thrive in this new era.

By Julen Del Arco, Senior Consultant