Andrew's Mindmate (00:00):
Hey everyone. Welcome back for another Deep Dives. Today we're tackling the future of consulting. Specifically what happens when AI becomes the driving force,
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (00:11):
And we're not just talking about replacing consultants with robots or anything. We're diving into this fascinating document called the AI First Manifesto. It basically argues that embracing AI is about fundamentally changing how consulting gets done and for the better.
Andrew's Mindmate (00:28):
I'm intrigued. So this manifesto, it's not just some far off prediction, it's like a playbook for consultants right now.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (00:36):
What
Andrew's Mindmate (00:36):
Kind of future does it paint?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (00:37):
It's definitely action oriented. It lays out this vision where AI isn't just another tool. It's woven into the very fabric of consulting, being able to analyze massive amounts of data spot trends that are hidden in plain sight and get to those aha moments for clients much faster. That's the promise of this AI first approach.
Andrew's Mindmate (00:56):
So it's about working smarter, not just harder.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (00:59):
Right.
Andrew's Mindmate (01:00):
But what about the human element of consulting? Surely this manifesto doesn't suggest algorithms can replace human intuition and experience completely.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (01:08):
You're right, and that's a really, really crucial point that they emphasize. The manifesto, it has a lot of strong opinions in it, but it's very clear. Human expertise is still paramount. Strategy, ethics, navigating complex client relationships. Those remain distinctly human skills. AI is more like having a superpowered research assistant capable of processing information at lightning speed. But the consultant, you're still the director providing the creative vision and ethical guidance.
Andrew's Mindmate (01:39):
So it's like having the ultimate brainstorming partner, but one that can process mountains of information, but still needs your guidance to connect the dots meaningfully.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (01:47):
Exactly. And to kind of guide consultants through this new landscape. The manifesto lays out 10 core principles for AI driven consulting, and these aren't just vague ideas. They're pretty practical. They often use real world examples to show how this all plays out in practice.
Andrew's Mindmate (02:05):
That's helpful. So give us a taste.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (02:07):
Yeah.
Andrew's Mindmate (02:07):
What's one of these AI first principles that really jumped out at you?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (02:10):
Well, the very first one is AI first always, which it sounds pretty extreme on the surface.
Andrew's Mindmate (02:17):
This make you wonder if they're saying consultants should just throw AI at every single problem without thinking,
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (02:22):
It's actually more nuanced than that, which is a recurring theme in this manifesto. They're really talking about a mindset shift. AI solutions should be the first thing you consider the default option, but never blindly. It's about leveraging the power of AI while still being critical, making sure it's the right tool for the
Andrew's Mindmate (02:40):
Job. That makes a lot more sense.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (02:42):
Yeah.
Andrew's Mindmate (02:42):
So it's about being strategically AI first, not just jumping on the bandwagon without thinking. Do they give any specific examples of what that looks like in action?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (02:51):
They do. Imagine, for instance, you're a consulting firm working with a client in the fitness industry.
Andrew's Mindmate (02:56):
Okay. Fitness, that's an interesting one. How does AI factor into that world?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (03:00):
Let's say your client wants to know what the next big trends in fitness are going to be. The manifesto describes how AI could analyze massive data sets, fitness blogs, industry reports, social media discussions about workout routines, you name it.
Andrew's Mindmate (03:15):
Wow.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (03:15):
AI could then identify emerging patterns, whether it is a new exercise craze, a fitness tech gadget that's gaining traction or a shift in consumer preferences. It's about getting this comprehensive view of the fitness landscape through the lens of ai.
Andrew's Mindmate (03:30):
So instead of spending weeks manually scouring the internet and hoping you're looking in the right places, AI can do the heavy lifting and uncover those insights much faster. But where does the human touch come in? It's not like you just hand the AI's findings straight to the client. Right.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (03:45):
You're exactly right. That's where the next principle comes into play ethics. Before ai, the manifesto really emphasizes the responsible use of ai, especially when you're dealing with sensitive data.
Andrew's Mindmate (03:57):
That makes sense. You can't just let AI loose on data without considering the ethical implications. Do they give an example of how that applies to consulting?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (04:04):
They use the example of a healthcare client. Imagine you're working with a hospital that wants to say, improve patient care.
Andrew's Mindmate (04:11):
Right.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (04:12):
AI could be incredibly useful for analyzing patient beta to identify trends in recovery times, which could lead to better treatment protocols. But this is obviously very sensitive information.
Andrew's Mindmate (04:23):
We're getting into some serious medical territory there. What does the manifesto suggest consultants do to ensure they're using AI ethically in that kind of scenario?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (04:32):
So the manifesto really emphasizes the importance of anonymizing data, stripping away any identifying information, so patient privacy is protected, and of course obtaining proper consent for using this data in the first place is crucial.
Andrew's Mindmate (04:47):
Of course,
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (04:47):
It's about ensuring that AI is used as a force for good, not for potential harm.
Andrew's Mindmate (04:52):
So it's about having clear ethical guidelines in place, being transparent with clients about how their data, especially sensitive data will be used.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (05:01):
Right.
Andrew's Mindmate (05:01):
It sounds like transparency is a big theme in this manifesto.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (05:04):
Absolutely. In fact, another principle is transparency is our sacred contract, which really underscores just how vital open communication is in this new landscape. Clients deserve to know how AI is being used in their projects. Imagine, for instance, you're helping a retail client optimize their inventory using ai.
Andrew's Mindmate (05:23):
Okay. I can see how AI could be really useful in that kind of situation, but what does transparency look like in practice?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (05:29):
It's about being upfront with the client about how AI is analyzing their sales data, identifying seasonal trends and helping prevent those dreaded stockouts. It's about demystifying the process and ensuring the client feels comfortable and informed every step of the way.
Andrew's Mindmate (05:44):
That makes sense. Transparency builds trust shows that you're not hiding anything shady behind a curtain of algorithms.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (05:50):
Exactly. And this leads to another important principle. We are the masters of the machine. It's a reminder that despite AI's incredible processing power, human judgment is still in the driver's seat.
Andrew's Mindmate (06:04):
It's like that old saying, with great power comes great responsibility,
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (06:07):
Right?
Andrew's Mindmate (06:08):
It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of what AI can do, but ultimately it's a tool to be wielded responsibly by humans.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (06:15):
Precisely. The manifesto uses the example of a manufacturer considering say, automating their factory. AI could analyze all sorts of data costs, production rates, even market trends, and recommend automation as the most efficient solution.
Andrew's Mindmate (06:29):
It sounds like a no-brainer for the client. Just let the AI make the decision.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (06:32):
Well, not so fast. There are so many other factors at play, the impact on the workforce, the company's long-term strategy, even the social implications of automation, these are all things AI might not be equipped to consider. It's up to the consultant to weigh those factors and help the client make the best decision, even if it means going against the AI's initial recommendation.
Andrew's Mindmate (06:55):
So again, it comes back to human judgment being essential. The consultant is using AI to inform their perspective,
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (07:02):
But
Andrew's Mindmate (07:03):
Not blindly following. Its every suggestion.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (07:05):
Exactly. And all of this, of course, ties back into another really crucial principle. Human relationships are the heart of consulting. The manifesto makes it very clear that while AI can handle certain tasks, it can't replace genuine human connection.
Andrew's Mindmate (07:19):
It's a good reminder that consulting is at its core, a people business.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (07:23):
Absolutely. Think about it this way, if AI can take care of the more tedious tasks like scheduling meetings, generating reports, even doing some basic data analysis, what does that free consultants up to do?
Andrew's Mindmate (07:37):
Spend more time actually talking to their clients, understanding their unique challenges and building those all important relationships.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (07:44):
Exactly. It allows consultants to focus on what they do best, providing strategic advice, creative solutions, and that human touch that no algorithm can replicate.
Andrew's Mindmate (07:55):
So it's not about AI pushing humans out of the picture. It's about AI empowering humans to play to their strengths even more effectively.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (08:02):
Exactly. And the shift towards a more AI driven approach to consulting has interesting implications for how consultants get paid.
Andrew's Mindmate (08:09):
Okay, now we're talking money. This should be good. Is the manifesto suggesting AI powered salary negotiations?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (08:15):
Not quite, but it does advocate for a pretty significant shift moving away from traditional hourly rates and toward value-based pricing.
Andrew's Mindmate (08:24):
So instead of charging for how many hours they work, consultants would charge for the actual impact they deliver.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (08:30):
Yeah,
Andrew's Mindmate (08:30):
That's a pretty big change.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (08:31):
It is, but it makes sense in the context of ai. Think about it. If AI can help a consultant complete a project like twice as fast with even better results, why should they be paid less? Just because they spent fewer hours on it?
Andrew's Mindmate (08:46):
That's a compelling argument, and it plays into what clients ultimately want. Right?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (08:50):
Results. Exactly. The manifesto highlights this with an example from, say, the world of imagine a consulting firm using AI to optimize a digital ad campaign. Traditionally, this kind of analysis could take weeks of manual labor, but with AI it can be done much faster and with a higher degree of accuracy.
Andrew's Mindmate (09:09):
So instead of charging for those weeks of manual work, the firm would charge based on the value they delivered, the actual improvement in the ad campaign's performance
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (09:18):
Precisely. They tie their fees to measurable results, increase in conversion rates, reduction in cost per click, whatever the key performance indicator might be. It's a win-win situation. The client gets better results faster, and the consultant is fairly compensated for the value they deliver regardless of how many hours they clocked.
Andrew's Mindmate (09:38):
It's a compelling model, especially as AI becomes more sophisticated and starts to really demonstrate its value in those tangible ways.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (09:44):
Absolutely, and this leads into what I think is one of the most important takeaways from the entire manifesto, the emphasis on lifelong learning in the age of ai.
Andrew's Mindmate (09:54):
So even with all this talk about AI, consultants still need to hit the books more than ever.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (09:59):
The world of AI is constantly evolving, right? New tools, new algorithms, new ethical considerations are emerging all the time. The manifesto stresses that consultants need to be committed to continuous learning. If they want to stay ahead of the curve,
Andrew's Mindmate (10:13):
It's like they're saying, Hey, if you want to play in the AI major leagues, you better be ready to continuously level up your game.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (10:21):
That's a great way to put it. And it's not just about individual consultants. Upskilling the Manifesto talks about the importance of creating a culture of learning within entire firms.
Andrew's Mindmate (10:32):
So how do they suggest firms actually do that? It sounds like a big undertaking.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (10:35):
Well, they recommend setting up internal learning platforms, almost like knowledge hubs dedicated to all things ai. These could be places where consultants share insights, access the latest research, and basically upskill together. Think of it as a way to kind of democratize AI knowledge within an organization.
Andrew's Mindmate (10:54):
It makes a lot of sense. You don't want a situation where only a handful of people in the firm understand AI while everyone else is left behind.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (11:01):
Exactly. And the manifesto also emphasizes the importance of investing in more formal training programs, even certifications, to ensure consultants have the skills they need to thrive in this new world.
Andrew's Mindmate (11:16):
It's not just about reading a few articles about ai, it's about really committing to ongoing education and professional development in this area.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (11:23):
Right, exactly.
Andrew's Mindmate (11:24):
Wow.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (11:25):
And when you step back and look at the manifesto as a whole, it's not just a prediction of the future, right? It's a call to action for consultants everywhere.
Andrew's Mindmate (11:32):
So what does this all mean for our listeners, those consultants tuning in right now? What's the key takeaway? The big, so what's of this entire AI first manifesto?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (11:43):
It's a wake up call. It's like an invitation to rethink the very essence of consulting in the age of ai. This isn't about fearing AI or seeing it as a threat, but rather about embracing its potential to augment human expertise and deliver even greater value to
Andrew's Mindmate (11:59):
Clients. It's about stepping into that future with both excitement, but also a sense of responsibility, right?
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (12:04):
Absolutely. And I think The Manifesto does a great job of highlighting the incredible opportunities that await consultants who are willing to adapt and embrace this AI first mindset.
Andrew's Mindmate (12:14):
It's about recognizing that AI isn't just a passing trend, it's a fundamental shift that's already transforming the world, and consulting is no exception. Those who adapt and evolve alongside this technology will be the ones who thrive.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (12:28):
I completely agree. It's a really exciting time to be in consulting, a time of immense transformation and opportunity.
Andrew's Mindmate (12:34):
It really is. And on that note, we'll leave our listeners with this final thought. If AI is the future of consulting, what steps will you take to become an AI first leader in your field? Think about it. Discuss it with your colleagues, and most importantly, take action, the future of consulting. Awaits.
Steph’s Digital Ambassador (12:51):
Well said.
Andrew's Mindmate (12:52):
That's all the time we have for today's deep dive. Thanks for joining us, and until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible. I.
