Future of Consulting in an AI Age

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Executive Summary

In the Financial Times’ 2026 Management Consulting Awards survey 73% of consultants identified AI as the single largest growth opportunity facing the profession.

In February 2026, CEO of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, predicted:

“Most, if not all, professional tasks… sitting at a computer… will be fully automated by an AI within the next 12-18 months.”

What does consulting look like when, AI is no longer a tool, but an active participant in how advice is created and delivered - and when consulting firms operate with AI teammates, autonomous systems, and ‘always‑on advisory’ capability?

This paper explores four futures already taking shape - from visible AI collaborators to Consulting Engines, Autonomous Firms, and deeply Embedded Partners - and offers a route to understand and navigate this next era of consulting, as a consultant, or a client.

The future of consulting will shape the future of decision‑making. The question is not whether it will change, but in what way - and how we should act?

Meet your
Autonomous Firm

Meet your
Consulting Engine

Meet your
Embedded Partners

“The barrier to successful AI adoption is not technology, but organisational transformation.”

Will Barnes - Co-Founder (Ajuno)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We provide strategy and execution for drones - the most advanced and widespread form of mobile robotics. We also work in AI, as AI enabled autonomy of robotics. Together, both drones and AI are preparing enterprises for a robotic future. We bring both together, working with our clients to re-engineer the enterprise for that future.

  • We believe in delivering results, so naturally we are at the forefront of AI application within our own firm. Building on our experience - and Gilbert’s standing as a leader and notable author in the consulting industry - we wanted to share some ideas with colleagues elsewhere. We also recognise the role AI in consulting will play for our clients, and the importance of enabling them to understand what is coming.

  • No thanks - our client work is focused elsewhere, but thanks for the question! This paper is shared pro bono with friends across the sector to contribute ideas, invite discussion, and advance all of our thinking.

So, what next?

We know that the most successful – the winners – will take bold action.

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