The consulting industry’s rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is largely driven by employees using shadow AI tools, often without official approval. Bret Tushaus, VP of Product Management at Deltek, emphasizes the impact of this trend, stating that while consulting firms hesitate to adopt formal AI strategies, 50% of UK employees have already integrated personal AI tools to enhance client outcomes. Shadow AI reflects consultants’ desire to innovate amid resource constraints, though it may lead to significant security and compliance risks, including data leakage and non-compliance with regulations like GDPR. To address this, firms should pivot from treating shadow AI solely as a cybersecurity issue and instead embrace it as an innovation opportunity. Building an AI-ready culture, fostering collaboration between teams, creating experimentation environments, and integrating AI into overall business strategies are essential steps. Firms that proactively manage AI adoption can gain a competitive edge in an evolving landscape.
Source link
