The Future of Business Consulting Services in an Agentic AI World

This IDC Market Perspective discusses the future of business consulting services in an agentic AI world that is poised for significant transformation. Initially, AI, like the early days of ELIZA, created an illusion of human interaction, but today's agentic AI is designed to take over tasks from humans, posing a challenge to the traditional consulting model. Consultants will need to adapt by focusing on higher-value tasks as AI handles data-intensive work. The future will see a continuous human-AI connection, with consultants using AI to produce outcomes and solve problems more efficiently. This shift will require consultants to adjust AI settings and assumptions based on client-specific contexts.As agentic AI becomes widespread, human capabilities such as creativity, empathy, and collaboration will remain essential, as AI cannot replicate these attributes. The roles of junior consultants will evolve to focus more on relationship management and organizational insight, while senior managers will emphasize strategic assessment and partnership building.Outcome-based pricing will become more prevalent, valuing the comprehensive expertise of consulting firms. Intellectual property and best practices will gain importance as they are embedded into AI systems, creating new business models like knowledge as a service. Legal frameworks will need to adapt to protect proprietary knowledge.In summary, the integration of agentic AI in business consulting will enhance efficiency and innovation, but human skills and strategic use of AI will be key to maintaining a competitive edge. Consulting firms must balance leveraging AI with preserving the value of their intellectual property to remain viable."Agentic AI will revolutionize business consulting, enabling consultants to focus on strategic insights while AI handles data intricacies. The future lies in human-AI collaboration, driving innovation and transforming client outcomes beyond traditional methods." — Bill Latshaw, research director, Worldwide Business Consulting Services at IDC