As artificial intelligence rapidly expands its reach, big consulting companies are confronting some of the toughest challenges in their history. This presentation examines how the democratization of AI—now accessible and deployable by firms large and small—has dramatically disrupted the traditional consulting value chain. Clients are leveraging AI tools to generate their own insights and solutions, often sidestepping the need for external consultants for standard analyses and operational improvements. As routine consulting tasks get automated or commoditized, pressure mounts on large firms to upskill, innovate, and redefine their unique value proposition.

The conversation will explore how consulting companies must pivot quickly: moving beyond “off-the-shelf” frameworks to offer advanced guidance on AI adoption, change management, and transformation at scale. Additionally, it considers the intensified competition from tech-focused boutiques and the heightened expectations of clients who now demand faster, more specialized results. Ultimately, the session emphasizes that for consulting giants to thrive in this new environment, they must reimagine their business models and embrace continuous learning, or risk being left behind by the AI revolution.