"REINVENTING CONSULTING WITH AI AT CORE"

In a wide ranging conversation with BW Businessworld’s Arjun Yadav, RISHI AURORA, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting India & South Asia, discusses how AI is no longer just a tool—but central to how consulting is delivered, scaled, and governed. He delves into IBM's evolving playbook, client impact, and responsible AI practices. Excerpts

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IBM Consulting Advantage (ICA) isn’t just about adding AI—it’s about embedding it into the consulting DNA. What drove this transformation, and what client needs did ICA aim to solve?

IBM is leading the AI era with ICA, a platform that supercharges consultants using AI to maximise client value. ICA integrates proven processes, open ecosystem technologies, and an AI-powered delivery platform to accelerate results. It comprises a set of assets, applications, and methods designed to boost productivity and drive greater client impact.

At its core is IBM Granite 3.0, a high-performance, cost-efficient language model. Unlike traditional innovations that only accelerated workflows, ICA transforms consulting by enabling faster, smarter decision-making with data-powered insights. Consultants can choose from various AI models through a multi-model conversational interface powered by IBM watsonx, ensuring the best-fit solution for each task.

AI guardrails are embedded to mitigate bias, safeguard data, and uphold compliance with ethical standards. By automating routine tasks, ICA allows consultants to focus on client collaboration, creative problem-solving, and continuous learning—reinforcing their value as trusted advisors. With ICA, IBM Consulting is redefining the science of consulting and advancing its legacy of trust, transparency, and responsible AI.