The Big Four is betting on AI agents — and working out how they will transform consulting

The Big Four is betting on AI agents — and working out how they will transform consulting

  • 24.03.2025 13:43
  • businessinsider.com
  • Keywords: AI

The Big Four consulting firms are developing AI agents to automate tasks and transform their operations. These intelligent systems aim to enhance efficiency, change business models, and redefine how work is done across industries.

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Estimated market influence

Deloitte

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Deloitte is a leading professional services firm that has developed Zora AI, an agentic AI platform designed to transform consulting by providing intelligent digital workers capable of autonomous task completion. Deloitte's adoption of AI agents represents a significant shift in their operational strategy, aiming to enhance efficiency and client service through technological innovation.

EY

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: —

EY has introduced the EY.ai Agentic Platform, collaborating with Nvidia. This platform is set to be used by 80,000 of its tax division employees, marking a substantial step in integrating AI agents into their operations. The move underscores EY's commitment to leveraging advanced AI technologies for improved service delivery and efficiency.

PwC

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

PwC is actively exploring the integration of agentic AI into its operations, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency, transforming customer experiences, and driving revenue growth. The firm has already deployed agents internally for data management and communication with customers, indicating a proactive approach to adopting AI technologies.

KPMG

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

KPMG is integrating AI agents into its core business areas such as Audit, Tax, and Advisory. The firm views these agents as innovative digital team-mates that complement their human workforce, aiming to enhance service quality and efficiency across the board.

Context

Analysis of Big Four's AI Agent Investments: Business Insights and Market Implications

Overview

  • Big Four Firms: Deloitte, EY, PwC, and KPMG are investing heavily in AI agents, marking a significant shift in the consulting industry.
  • Focus Area: The firms are leveraging "agentic AI," which enables systems to perform tasks and make decisions autonomously.

Key Initiatives

Deloitte

  • Platform: Launched Zora AI, an agentic AI platform.
  • Capabilities:
    • Provides "intelligent digital workers" capable of perception, reasoning, and autonomous task completion.
    • Currently used by Deloitte's finance team; plans to extend access to thousands of employees by year-end.
  • Use Cases: Expense/invoice management, sales trend analysis, working capital optimization. Expansion planned for procurement, sales, and customer services.

EY

  • Platform: Introduced EY.ai Agentic Platform.
  • Deployment:
    • Initially rolled out to 80,000 tax division workers.
    • Offers 150 AI agents for tasks like data collection, document analysis, and tax compliance.

KPMG

  • Strategy: Integrating AI agents as "digital team-mates" in Audit, Tax, and Advisory.
  • Goals:
    • Create a workforce of intelligent, fast, and emotionally intelligent AI agents.
    • Enhance customer service, quality, insight, reporting, assurance, and efficiency.

PwC

  • Focus: Enhancing operational efficiency, transforming customer experiences, and driving revenue growth.
  • Internal Use:
    • Deployed agents for data ingestion, investigation, and cleansing.
    • Developed an agentic framework for sophisticated customer communication.
  • Client Strategy: Advising clients on workforce transformation and responsible AI implementation.

Business Model Shifts

  • From Hours to Outcomes: EY's Sharma hinted at a potential shift from hourly billing to "service-as-a-software" pricing based on outcomes.
  • Disruption: Deloitte's Wanner emphasized the need for an engineering-first mindset, disrupting traditional consulting practices.

Market Trends and Competitive Dynamics

  • Agentic AI as a Third Wave: The Big Four are leading the adoption of agentic AI, setting a benchmark for other industries.
  • Competitive Landscape:
    • Firms are racing to integrate AI agents into their operations to enhance efficiency and client value.
    • Collaboration with tech partners (e.g., Nvidia) is critical for developing advanced solutions.

Strategic Considerations

  • Workforce Transformation: Employees must adapt to work alongside AI agents, requiring upskilling in technology and engineering.
  • Trust and Responsibility:
    • PwC prioritizes "responsible AI" with built-in controls to ensure ethical use.
    • Focus on transparency and accountability to maintain client trust.

Long-Term Effects

  • Operational Efficiency: AI agents promise significant time savings, with EY estimating the liberation of thousands of hours currently spent on repetitive tasks.
  • Revenue Growth: Agentic AI is expected to drive profitability by optimizing processes and enhancing customer experiences.

Regulatory Implications

  • Responsible AI: The firms are embedding governance frameworks to ensure compliance with emerging AI regulations.
  • Ethical Use: Emphasis on trust, transparency, and ethical decision-making to mitigate risks associated with autonomous systems.

Conclusion

The Big Four's investments in agentic AI signal a transformative era for consulting. While the shift presents opportunities for operational efficiency and revenue growth, it also necessitates careful integration of AI into existing business models and workforces. The long-term impact will depend on balancing innovation with ethical considerations and regulatory compliance.