By Mariyah Saifuddin
AI is rapidly reshaping the consulting landscape, particularly in data and analytics. How does AI fit in, particularly for consultants? That is the subject of the recent “Tech-Driven Business” podcast, with Mustansir Saifuddin and guest Shashank Paritala, who has worked across the SAP data and analytics space for over a decade.
What was once a model built on time – hours, sprints, and large-scale implementations – is shifting toward one centered on outcomes, speed and precision. As AI takes on more of the execution-heavy work, the role of consultants is evolving from builders to translators, those who can connect business intent to technical execution with far greater clarity.
From execution to definition
At the core of this shift is a redefinition of value. Tasks that once required significant effort, such as code generation and data migration, can now be accelerated dramatically using AI. This doesn’t eliminate the need for consultants; instead, it raises the stakes on defining the right problem from the start.
“If you can deliver so fast now,” Paritala said, it’s also really important that “you get to that customer and get that spec right.” In other words, speed without clarity only amplifies mistakes.
- Execution is becoming faster and more automated.
- Defining the right requirements is becoming more critical.
- Misalignment early in a project is now more costly than ever.
Clarity as a competitive advantage
When delivery cycles shrink, clarity becomes the true differentiator.
Consultants who can reduce ambiguity, align stakeholders and quickly validate solutions are the ones creating the most impact. As Mustansir emphasized, the need to “bring down the cycles … make it more robust and, in a way, bulletproof.”
Speed alone is not the goal; resilient, well-defined outcomes are.
The Rise of architecture and context
With AI accelerating the build phase, architecture and design take center stage.
The long-term success of any solution depends on how well systems are structured, how data is governed and how business context is embedded into the design. This is where human judgment becomes indispensable, understanding not just the technology, but the business, the industry and where the organization is trying to go.
Avoiding fragmented AI ecosystems
Organizations are moving quickly to adopt AI, often launching narrow, use-case-driven solutions. While this speed is driving innovation, it is also creating a new kind of fragmentation.
Many companies are unintentionally building disconnected ecosystems of AI tools that don’t share context, leading to inefficiencies that mirror the data silos of the past.
As Mustansir pointed out, if you’re not thinking holistically, “you may create a bunch of small monsters around you,” a vivid reminder of how easily complexity can spiral without the right architectural vision.
Takeaways from this part of the podcast include:
- Rapid AI adoption is leading to isolated point solutions.
- Disconnected systems can recreate silos in new ways.
- A more integrated, ecosystem-driven approach is needed.
A new Opportunity for consulting firms
This shift is challenging the traditional “sell hours” model, but it also is opening the door to a more scalable approach. As Paritala said, “We sold hours … that’s the thing that’s being hit.”
What replaces it is an opportunity to build differentiated value through reusable accelerators, proprietary solutions and AI-driven capabilities that extend beyond a single engagement. Consulting firms that embrace this shift can move from delivering projects to delivering platforms of value.
The bottom line
AI is not replacing consulting, but instead it is redefining what great consulting looks like. The future belongs to those who can combine speed with clarity, pair AI capabilities with human judgment, and produce design solutions that scale.
For organizations willing to rethink how work gets done, this moment isn’t just disruptive – it’s transformative.
Interested in more Tech-Driven Business podcasts? You can listen here
About the podcast guest: Shashank Paritala
Shashank Paritala has worked across the SAP data and analytics space for over a decade, including Accenture and Avvale, where he led the Data & Analytics practice.
His background includes analytics strategy, enterprise data architecture and has been involved with SAP Datasphere since the early days – helping clients turn data into business outcomes.
As a data architect who is passionate about blending technology expertise with big-picture thinking to solve complex business problems, Paritala has extensive experience designing analytic solutions to unlock important insights.