How AI Consulting Accelerates Digital Transformation

Aspiring companies have long gone digital. Still, as tech advances and new technologies arise, there is always potential for enhancement.

Today, it’s mostly associated with artificial intelligence – and rightfully so. Even ordinary smartphones are packed with various AI features, our social media feeds are shaped by algorithms, and so on. The AI market is already huge and keeps on growing. By 2030, this technology is projected to add as much as $15.7 trillion to the global economy.

So, even if you haven’t implemented AI on a large scale within your company yet, it’s high time you thought about it. And to achieve maximum efficiency, you’ll need experienced professionals who can deliver top-notch AI consulting support.

The Strategic Value of AI in Digital Transformation

AI comes with numerous benefits. It helps companies progress at a remarkable speed, make better decisions, and respond more effectively to any change. It’s used for task automation, valuable predictions, optimization, and many more purposes across sectors such as healthcare, automotive, logistics, finance, and so on. More and more businesses are trying to get robust smart solutions. The aim is clear – operational agility and strategic insights gained through AI make any organization much more resilient.

Let’s take just a few examples: improved diagnostics in healthcare, predictive maintenance in manufacturing, real-time fraud detection in finance, intelligent chatbots in customer service, personalized product recommendations in retail, enhanced content creation in marketing. All these and many more contribute to overall efficiency and, of course, help companies save more.

Still, it might not always be easy to integrate AI into existing operations. Nor is it straightforward in many cases. Some reasons are legacy infrastructure, siloed data, and fragmented processes. What’s more, without a clear strategy, AI initiatives can stall or fail to scale.

That’s why one needs professional guidance on this path.

What AI Consulting Brings to the Table

The power of AI consultants lies, naturally, in their expertise. But it’s more than just that. They have a structured approach to the process of implementing smart solutions. Exploring, planning, implementing – all essential phases are considered carefully. What’s more, since consultants have a neutral perspective, they help organizations focus on what creates real business value.

They thoroughly assess where AI can have the greatest impact. Consultants analyze workflows, data readiness, and strategic goals to identify opportunities that align with business priorities.

Another key area is customization. There are plenty of general-purpose tools nowadays – take ChatGPT, for example. It’s widely used not only by individuals but also by companies. Still, if you want more precision, you’ll need something specific. What’s more, there are industry needs and regulatory requirements to meet. Professional consulting teams help tailor solutions – whether for a hospital optimizing patient scheduling or a logistics firm improving route planning.

Risk management is yet another area. Ethical concerns like algorithmic bias, data privacy, and compliance with evolving regulations require careful handling. Consultants help companies set up governance frameworks and choose technologies that meet legal and ethical standards.

How AI Consulting Works in Practice

Professional consulting provides guidance throughout the early and most critical stages of AI adoption. Based on Andersen’s AI consulting approach, we can say that the process begins with discovering the exact needs of a company and potential areas where AI may bring impressive improvements. At this stage, consultants work closely with stakeholders to understand the company’s current situation (its strengths and weaknesses), assess data readiness, and identify operational bottlenecks or innovation gaps.

This way, experts help companies pinpoint and prioritize viable use cases – something that could contribute significantly to business growth. They suggest how to integrate smart applications in the most effective way.

Also, consultants often facilitate the development of proof-of-concept prototypes. This helps organizations quickly test ideas and validate assumptions with minimal risk. They also assist in planning the transition from concept to implementation.

Beyond technical aspects, consultants support change management and help teams prepare for AI adoption. Training, communication, and workflow alignment are all essential components.

Key Benefits for Organizations

Of course, a company may develop an initiative on its own. Still, partnering with seasoned consultants means faster and more measurable outcomes. Their expertise and structured guidance help organizations focus on high-impact opportunities right from the start. 

Just a couple of benefits worth mentioning:

• Faster return on digital investments
  With expert guidance, you can avoid costly trial-and-error phases.
• Enhanced innovation capability
  When external experts with broad experience take part in your initiative, you gain access to a vast knowledge base. Experienced consultants draw on diverse past cases, which often leads to more creative and effective solutions. 
• Reduced risk and better compliance
  Consultants have already worked on numerous cases and know potential pitfalls inside out. They help navigate issues around data privacy, bias, and regulatory requirements. This means reduced legal and ethical risks.
• Support for cultural and organizational change
  Professional consulting includes upskilling. Your employees receive ongoing guidance and valuable advice, which helps ensure sustained AI adoption over time.

Common Pitfalls Without Consulting Support

But what if you take on an initiative without expert assistance? There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but you may risk the following: 

• Misalignment between AI initiatives and business goals
  In the end, your project may lack strategic relevance or measurable outcomes.
• Underestimation of data readiness or technical complexity
  It takes a lot of knowledge and experience to assess a specific business case and readiness for AI implementation correctly. Seasoned IT professionals have that expertise, while internal teams without prior AI experience may misjudge data quality, system integration, and infrastructure needs.
• Overlooked ethical and compliance risks
  Without guidance, critical issues like algorithmic bias or regulatory exposure may remain unaddressed.

AI-powered digital transformation unlocks real value – but with expert support, organizations can accelerate progress and reduce risk.

That’s why external insight is highly valuable and widely sought. Thanks to it, companies are better positioned to move from experimentation to scale – and to build digital products that stand the test of time.