The AI Consultant’s Dilemma: When Less Hype and More Honesty Wins

There’s something oddly comforting about admitting you don’t know everything.

In the world of AI consulting, where buzzwords fly and everyone’s an expert, I’ve found that the most powerful thing I can say to a client is often: “It depends.”

Sure, I could dazzle them with talk of agentic systems and cognitive automation - but that’s not what they need. They need to know what actually works for them, right now. They need a partner who isn’t trying to sell a dream, but build a roadmap.

The reality is, AI can do a lot. But it can’t do everything. It’s not magic, and it’s not a replacement for strategic thinking, team culture, or understanding your customers. That’s why I approach every project with a simple question: What’s the real problem we’re solving here?

Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it’s not glamorous. And sometimes the best solution isn’t even “AI” at all.

But when we stop chasing the hype and start designing thoughtfully, that’s where the real transformation happens. That’s where automation becomes empowerment.

So here’s to staying curious, asking better questions - and being okay with saying, “Let me get back to you on that.”