What does an AI consultant do?
By the InTheory team · Updated November 2026
An AI consultant helps a business decide where artificial intelligence is worth using, chooses suitable tools, designs or builds the setup, and trains staff to use it safely. A good one starts with your workflows and numbers, not with a product, and is willing to tell you when AI is the wrong answer.
The usual sequence
First, discovery: interviews and a look at how work actually flows, such as how a paralegal opens a new matter or how an estimator turns site notes into a quote. Second, prioritization: ranking opportunities by value, effort and risk. Third, delivery: configuring tools, connecting systems and testing with real examples. Fourth, adoption: training, a usage policy and a review of whether the change stuck.
What to expect in the deliverables
You should get a short written plan, a working change in at least one workflow, and numbers that compare before and after, such as minutes per proposal or hours to first response. You should also get rules for data handling, especially if you work with health records, legal matters or tax information.
Be cautious with any consultant who leads with a specific platform or promises a fixed saving before seeing your work. InTheory begins every engagement with a 30-day diagnosis for this reason.