How AI Is Transforming Consulting and Why McKinsey Isn’t Doomed Yet

AI is changing consulting, but firms like McKinsey still have an edge—for now. Here's how AI will reshape the $5T services market.
Matilda
How AI Is Transforming Consulting and Why McKinsey Isn’t Doomed Yet
How AI Is Changing Consulting—But Not Replacing McKinsey Yet Artificial intelligence is already reshaping the way consulting, legal, and accounting firms operate—but is it ready to fully replace industry giants like McKinsey? While many startups and VCs believe in the inevitable AI disruption in consulting, real transformation is unfolding gradually. The $5 trillion professional services industry is ripe for AI-first solutions that promise software-like margins. But trust, relationships, and complex problem-solving still anchor traditional firms. So how soon will AI overtake the big players? The answer is more nuanced than you might think. Image : Google At a recent StrictlyVC event in Menlo Park, Navin Chaddha, managing director at Mayfield Fund, explained why he’s bullish on AI’s role in disrupting labor-intensive sectors like consulting. Drawing from decades of tech evolution—from mainframes to mobile to the cloud—Chaddha sees AI as the next seismic shift. Yet he cautions that startup…