Is AI Consulting's Groundhog Day?

By Tom Rodenhauser, Managing Partner, Kennedy Intelligence I Consulting Industry’s Strategic Insights Partner I Host and Editor of Consultants Talk podcast

Beware the Overnight Expert

Consultants have always prided themselves on delivering expertise, insight, and strategic direction to their clients. Time has always been the currency to which consultants apply their accumulated knowledge. But with AI fundamentally shifting how expertise is applied, many are asking: Is AI Consulting’s Groundhog Day?

AI fundamentally alters the basic concept of who possesses and applies "expertise." More importantly for consultants, AI undercuts the operating model of management consulting. Time is no longer the measure for application of knowledge. 

This creates a couple of scenarios; the first centers on AI replacing consultants. Let's save that for another discussion. The second highlights the potential false narratives on expertise AI can create when mishandled.

Remember Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day? Trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over, he eventually masters complex skills – ice sculpting, speaking French, even playing the piano like a jazz virtuoso – not through innate talent, but through sheer, relentless repetition. He had an infinite learning cycle, an endless opportunity to fail, learn, and perfect.

Andie MacDowall's character doesn't experience the time loop. Instead, she becomes beguiled when she sees the miraculous overnight transformation of Murray's otherwise oafish character.

Is AI Consulting's Groundhog Day Becoming Reality?

AI offers consultants a similar, albeit virtual, superpower. Instead of reliving the same day, AI-powered platforms can process and analyze millions of data points, reports, and case studies in seconds. They can identify patterns, predict outcomes, and generate insights that would take a human consultant years – perhaps even decades – of experience to accumulate.

AI compresses the time it takes to acquire foundational knowledge and analytical prowess. It allows consultants to leapfrog stages of traditional learning, reaching a higher level of informed insight much faster. But AI does not replace empathetic client relationships, or the ability to navigate complex organizational politics – these remain inherently human domains.

We do see consultants who treat AI as a shortcut and attempt to dazzle clients with depth that perhaps was lacking previously. Clients also see that. And they know that AI doesn't transform a Chopsticks-playing advisor into a pianist extraordinaire.

The reality is that AI amplifies existing expertise. The key now for consulting firms is to integrate AI as a fundamental tool to the consulting process ... and pass those time savings onto to the clients.

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About the Author

Tom Rodenhauser is Managing Partner at Kennedy Intelligence, where he and his team help leaders navigate strategy, M&A, and performance in professional services.

(This commentary is for information only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice.)