# Consultancy’s multi-billion-dollar AI gamble, but where is the real return?

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/consultancys-multi-billion-dollar-ai-gamble-but-where-is-the-real-return/
- Published: 2026-11-09T08:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T08:26:43+00:00
- Original publisher: City AM (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.cityam.com/consultancys-multi-billion-dollar-ai-gamble-but-where-is-the-real-return/
- Topics: AI, Business, Technology

## Key points

- AI is taking on routine consulting work.
- BDO teams used the platform extensively in eight weeks.
- Returns depend on adoption as well as the technology.

## Summary

Consultancies are using frontier AI platforms to automate junior-level work such as research, presentation preparation and document review, changing how teams spend their time. The technology’s impact is becoming clearer, but firms still face a central question: whether the gains justify the investment.

In an eight-week case study, BDO deal teams asked Model ML’s platform more than 10,000 questions, analysed over 25,000 documents and produced more than 14,000 review comments. The article says the Big Four firms have committed several million pounds to AI, while consultants argue that returns depend on both the tools’ capabilities and staff adoption. Model ML, which works with firms including PwC, Deloitte and BDO, was valued at more than $1 billion (£748 million) and raised over $100 million in its first 18 months.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.