AI as a sparring partner
For me, much of the value of AI lies in its role as a sparring partner. In the past, I mainly relied on my experience and yet often had standard questions with a new customer. Now I'll first brainstorm with AI: what themes are at play in this industry, what extra questions can I ask? This often results in surprising perspectives.
As a result, customers don't have to explain their process as extensively. We partly skip that phase and talk more quickly about what really matters: how are we going to automate?
Smarter collaboration
AI also plays a permanent role in collaboration with colleagues. The standard question is, “Have you asked AI yet?” This way, we no longer start from a blank sheet, but immediately one level deeper. We compare tools, prompts and models and challenge each other to work smarter.
I myself switch between Copilot, ChatGPT and Claude. Am I not satisfied with an answer? Then I ask the question differently or choose a different model. Sometimes it's a hit, sometimes I push it aside.
From conversation to results
AI also makes a difference after customer conversations. We record chaotic meetings and have them summarized in a process diagram. That piece is not finished immediately, but the basis is there and I can immediately assess: is this true, are we missing scenarios?
AI in customer processes
With customers, we use AI to make processes faster and smarter. Examples:
- Automatically review SharePoint sites: discard, save, or archive.
- Copilot agents for simple IT questions so that the service desk focuses on more complex issues.
- Better AI models for reading PDFs, reducing errors and saving employees time.
In all cases, employees can focus on their job again, instead of frustrating work.
Learning with AI
For junior consultants, working AI-first can be challenging. The combination of experience and AI elevates your work. But what if you don't have that experience yet? Fortunately, AI can also help you learn faster, as long as you remain critical.
Personally, I often use Chat GPT as a coach on the go. In the car, I ask questions via voice mode: “Explain this... no, not clear yet... give an example.” This way, I learn new topics at my own pace, without lectures or standard videos, but in my own way.
AI is information, not a colleague
AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, but I see it more as Artificial Information Processing. Fast and handy, but not human. It can challenge you like a junior colleague does, by bouncing back questions. Yet you miss the energy and creativity that arise in a real conversation.
That is why human expertise remains indispensable. You need to come up with solutions to a customer right away. Reflection with AI is only possible afterwards.
My name is below
Remaining authentic is essential. AI sometimes comes up with exaggerated, American texts that don't suit me. Still, it helps me come up with ideas. But in the end, it's me who clicks “send”. My name is on the bottom. And I have to stand behind that.
If someone asks questions, I need to know the answer myself. That's where the value of consultancy lies: getting to the point faster with AI, but we deliver the real added value as people.
The core
AI doesn't make consultancy any less human. It makes us more valuable. We are better prepared, get to the point faster and provide deeper insights. But the real innovation lies in the combination: technology and human expertise.
