Major consulting firms, including the Big Four (Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC), are shifting their focus towards developing 'human skills' in junior consultants, even as AI tools become more prevalent. This trend follows a period where AI was a primary focus, leading to concerns among staff about being replaced. Firms are now aiming to re-engage their human workforce and rebuild company culture after years of job cuts and a slump in demand for their services.
While AI is streamlining tasks like data entry and initial analysis, freeing up consultants for more complex, client-facing work, firms recognize that human judgment, collaboration, leadership, curiosity, resilience, and teamwork are increasingly critical. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and EY, for example, are re-emphasizing training in interpersonal skills like reading a room, understanding motivations, and storytelling, which had been deprioritized during the remote work era. BCG's global people chair, Alicia Pittman, states that these 'human skills' matter even more in an AI-enabled environment.
The industry is also seeing structural changes. Some experts predict a move away from the traditional 'pyramid' structure, which relies heavily on junior staff, towards an 'obelisk' model with fewer layers and a focus on retaining talent with deep expertise and strong client management abilities. However, the current landscape is challenging for new entrants, with some firms cutting graduate recruitment by nearly a third between 2023 and 2025 and freezing starting salaries for the third consecutive year. Despite these challenges, the consulting sector is expected to see a 6% revenue growth in 2026, driven by a renewed focus on the human element alongside technological advancements.
Firms are also looking to improve junior staff experience, with initiatives like BCG's 'pod' model to foster connection and support. This reflects a broader sentiment where consultants desire more face-to-face engagement, and flexible working has surpassed competitive salaries as a top driver of job satisfaction. While AI literacy remains important, the emphasis is now on how humans leverage AI to enhance their problem-solving and client engagement capabilities, with BCG noting that 70% of AI's value comes from human contribution.
