Consulting firms are increasingly re-prioritizing human skills and the 'human touch' after a period of intense focus and investment in AI capabilities. While companies like McKinsey have deployed a "workforce" of 20,000 AI agents to support 40,000 staff, and the Big Four have poured billions into AI, there's a growing recognition that human expertise is crucial. Consultants felt neglected and worried about being replaced during the initial AI obsession, especially after years of job cuts and a slump in demand post-COVID-19. Executives now see human factors as vital alongside AI strategies, with EY UK's consulting head, Sayeh Ghanbari, emphasizing investment in judgment, empathy, and leadership skills.
Experts within the industry, such as Jack Azagury, former Accenture group chief executive, are calling 2026 a "year of cultural repair" as firms refocus on their human staff. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) even attributes 70 percent of AI's value to human contribution, compared to 10 percent for algorithms and 20 percent for data and technology. This shift means renewing efforts in training consultants on soft skills like reading a room, understanding motivations, and storytelling, which had been deprioritized during remote work. The Management Consultancies Association found that 56 percent of consultants desired more face-to-face engagements, and flexible working surpassed competitive salary as the top job satisfaction driver.
While AI offers significant productivity gains—KPMG has seen 10-15 percent overall and up to 80 percent for specific tasks, and nearly half of UK firms under £500 million turnover reported productivity boosts equivalent to almost half a 40-hour week—firms acknowledge that technology alone isn't enough. Accenture's Jonathan Keane states that true gains come from using AI to redesign processes and rethink business domains. The challenge lies not in adopting AI, but in integrating it safely and intelligently into complex workflows, demanding robust data foundations and clear accountability. The consulting sector is expected to see revenue growth of 6 percent in 2026, indicating a rebound in demand for advice.
