Workplace Evolution: Emergence of the GenAI Business Advisor

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), a significant shift is underway, particularly in the realm of management consulting. According to an analysis of job postings on Indeed using specific keywords such as "Generative AI," "Large Language Models," and "Chat GPT," there has been a notable increase in GenAI-related roles in this sector.

As of January 2025, management consulting roles account for 12.4% of all GenAI job postings, a marked increase from the mere 0.2% seen just a year earlier in January 2024. This surge can be attributed to the hiring behavior of a select number of large employers, including companies like Bayer, Mercedes-Benz, and OTTO in Germany, who are expanding their use of AI to transform business processes and improve competitiveness.

The growth in GenAI mentions in job postings suggests a possible step forward in AI adoption, as companies increasingly recognise the potential benefits of integrating advanced AI technologies into their operations. In January 2025, about one in every 300 jobs (0.3%) on Indeed mentions GenAI, a significant increase from the three in every 1,000 job postings prior to late 2022.

Software development, data science, and related roles continue to dominate GenAI job postings. However, these shifts in consulting jobs represent the first jobs to see major increases in GenAI mentions outside of tech and data science. The nature of the growth in GenAI's presence in the workplace is shifting, driven by a heightened focus on the implementation of GenAI tools.

The demand for machine learning engineers and data scientists with GenAI expertise is still growing rapidly. In the last year, GenAI mentions rose by 9.5 percentage points for machine learning engineers and 9 points for data scientists. This trend is expected to continue as more companies seek to leverage the capabilities of Generative AI to drive innovation and improve efficiency.

For workers whose skills overlap with GenAI capabilities, these shifts represent a significant opportunity to invest in AI skills now. As the demand for GenAI expertise grows, so too will the opportunities for those with the necessary skills. For more information on how the capabilities of GenAI overlap with occupational skill requirements, see recent research.

The rise in GenAI consultants is a testament to the growing importance of AI in the business world. As more companies adopt AI technologies, the need for experts who can guide them through the implementation process will only increase. The consulting sector is at the forefront of this trend, helping businesses navigate the complexities of AI adoption and reap the rewards of this transformative technology.