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Generative AI is creating a new "augmented consultant" model where humans and AI complement each other. According to the BCG Henderson Institute, it boosts performance by +40% on creative tasks — but causes a -23% drop on complex analytical problems. The future of consulting depends on finding the right balance between human expertise and technology.
An augmented consultant is a consulting professional whose capabilities are enhanced by generative AI. This combination allows routine tasks to be automated and data analysis to be accelerated, freeing the consultant to focus on higher-value activities such as creative strategy and service personalization.
Generative AI produces contrasting effects on consultant performance depending on the type of task involved.
According to a study by the BCG Henderson Institute:
The performance drop on analytical tasks is largely explained by consultants placing excessive trust in AI outputs, including when the AI makes errors.
"On one hand, we would never have imagined that this technology would improve our performance so significantly on creative elements. On the other, we did not expect it to perform so poorly on more analytical problem-solving."
This automation dynamic may also put pressure on consulting firm pricing, as clients increasingly expect lower costs for tasks that can be automated.
Generative AI cannot replace human expertise, particularly in the areas of creativity and situational intelligence. The unique skills of consultants remain essential for building meaningful client relationships and delivering personalized advice grounded in empathy and judgment.
These are capabilities that AI can support but cannot replicate: understanding organizational context, reading interpersonal dynamics, and making nuanced recommendations in ambiguous situations.
Consultants who do not develop specific AI expertise risk being displaced, while those who bring differentiated value and strong AI competency will see their market position strengthened.
As noted by JournalduNet, this trend is pushing the entire consulting sector toward more personalized and strategic services, where mastery of AI tools is becoming a professional prerequisite rather than an optional skill.
Generative AI is reshaping the consulting landscape by automating repetitive tasks and processing large volumes of data. This evolution threatens roles focused on low-value tasks, while increasing the value of specialized expertise and enabling consultants to focus on more strategic activities.
Generative AI presents significant opportunities to increase the productivity and quality of consulting work. It also introduces important challenges, particularly the need to understand data management processes and the security risks associated with using these technologies in client-sensitive contexts.
AI Partners has developed a 4-step methodology to support organizations through their generative AI transformation.
Step 1: acculturationRaising awareness among clients about the technological shift that generative AI represents. This step ensures that projects are relevant and that teams fully understand the impact of the technology before any audit begins.
Step 2: use case identificationCollecting and analyzing use cases specific to each sector and organization. Through interviews and group consultations, AI Partners gathers needs and expectations to launch several projects adapted to each context.
Step 3: scoping and deploymentConducting feasibility studies and establishing a roadmap. This step ensures that selected projects are viable, profitable, and relevant — integrating an assessment of development costs, operational costs, and the added value of each generative AI project.
Step 4: industrialization and updatesOnce projects are validated through POCs (proofs of concept), they are deployed at a larger scale. AI Partners focuses on industrializing these tools, followed by regular maintenance and updates to stay at the frontier of innovation.
What is an augmented consultant?
An augmented consultant is a consulting professional who uses generative AI to automate repetitive tasks and accelerate data analysis. This approach allows them to focus on high-value work such as strategy and client service personalization, while AI handles lower-level production tasks.
Will generative AI replace consultants?
Generative AI will not replace consultants — it will transform their role. Consultants who master these tools and bring specific expertise will see their position strengthened, while those limited to low-value tasks face greater exposure to automation.
Why does AI reduce performance on complex analytical tasks?
According to the BCG Henderson Institute study, the -23% drop on complex analytical tasks is explained by consultants placing excessive trust in AI outputs, even when the AI makes errors. Generative AI is not designed to replace human judgment on complex business problems.
How does AI Partners support organizational AI transformation?
AI Partners guides organizations through a 4-step methodology: acculturation, use case identification, scoping and deployment, then industrialization and updates. This approach ensures AI projects are relevant, profitable, and sustainable over time.
Generative AI represents both an opportunity and a challenge for the consulting industry. It pushes consultants to evolve by developing new skills and learning to collaborate effectively with technology. The future of consulting rests on a balanced relationship between technology and human expertise, leading to more personalized, strategic, and high-quality service delivery.
AI Partners supports organizations through this transformation, from initial acculturation through to the industrialization of AI solutions best suited to their specific context.
