Artificial intelligence offers businesses significant opportunities. To derive
value from artificial intelligence, it can be useful for companies to seek the
help of consultants who specialize in artificial intelligence. Despite the
growing importance of AI consulting there has been very little previous
research about it. At the same time, previous research about artificial
intelligence projects has highlighted that their failure rates are significant
and that a variety of reasons can lead to project failures.
Based on the recognized need for research about artificial intelligence
consulting, this study aimed to establish a broad overview of what the work
of AI consultants entails. Additionally, this study highlights challenges AI
consultants encounter as part of their work with clients. Related to the
challenges, this study also discusses the methods AI consultants use for
overcoming the challenges.
Data collection for this study was conducted with semi-structured
interviews. Data analysis conducted as part of this research highlighted that
it is useful to view AI consulting as consisting of two types of consulting: one
in which delivering an AI software solution to the client is the focal point of
the engagement and one in which software solution is not delivered, but the
focus is rather on delivering AI expertise via, for example, mentoring. The
study also established that AI consultants encounter a wide variety of
challenges as part of their work. To overcome those, AI consultants need to
often address knowledge boundaries and differing technological frames
between them and their clients and among their clients. As part of this study
an integrated framework for effective communication and collaboration in
AI consulting was developed.
