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Blog | Digital transformation consulting in the age of AI

Written by Isabel Vega | Jan 20, 2026 4:15:00 AM

Digital transformation consulting has become a boardroom priority. Leaders know change is required, but many still struggle to execute. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence consulting services now sit at the center of transformation efforts. AI drives efficiency, insight, and competitive strength.

This article explains how digital transformation consulting works today, why AI matters, and how to achieve real outcomes without jargon or theory that fails in practice.

Why digital transformation consulting matters now

Digital transformation consulting is the practice of guiding organizations through complex shifts in technology, process, and people culture. These shifts are not small. They require coordination across IT, operations, sales, and HR.

A decade ago, digital transformation meant migrating to the cloud, adding mobile apps, and automating simple tasks. Today, the mission framework has expanded to include artificial intelligence consulting services.

AI creates new ways to sense signals early in the business cycle. It changes decision quality and accelerates execution. This change in technology means digital transformation consulting must evolve, too.

The value in transformation lies in outcomes that are visible and sustained. CFOs expect cost reduction, risk mitigation, and new revenue streams. Customers expect faster delivery, better quality, and intuitive experiences. Digital transformation consulting aligns expectations with execution paths that are realistic.

Leading firms report that nearly 40% of transformation efforts fail to deliver expected value because they overlook organizational alignment and leadership commitment. Success rates improve dramatically when transformation includes clear governance, measurable metrics, and sustained coaching for teams. The role of consultant is shifting from planner to enabler.

The shift from strategy to execution

Clients often hire consultants for strategy and then struggle with execution. The root cause here is that a strategy without execution velocity does not change results.

Digital transformation consulting must bridge that gap. Strategy alone cannot translate to measurable steps for teams. The shift requires planning that factors in human behavior and organizational momentum.

Artificial intelligence consulting services help teams integrate models and insights into daily decisions. But AI is not plug and play. It requires governance and continuous improvement. Many firms treated AI as a one-off project, but the real opportunity lies in embedding AI into core processes: forecasting, quality control, customer service, and compliance.

A McKinsey report shows AI adoption has more than doubled in the last five years, yet less than half of organizations report clear financial gains. The gap is not technical inability. It is execution design and alignment with business metrics. That is where digital transformation consulting adds value.

The core principles that drive value

Digital transformation consulting engages in three core themes:

  1. clarity of purpose,
  2. integration of technology and people workflows,
  3. measurable outcomes.

Purpose aligns stakeholders around what success looks like. Integration says that technology must support human decision-making, not replace it without preparation. Outcomes keep transformation grounded in results that matter.

Clarity of purpose

Clarity of purpose means asking tough questions early. What performance indicators matter the most? Where does the company have the most urgent gap vs the competition? How will customers notice improvement? Consultants bring external benchmarks and evidence-informed targets.

Integration

Integration means assembling the right technology stack and aligning it with skills and processes. This includes modern data infrastructure to support AI models. In this sense, data readiness determines AI project success more than algorithm choice. Without clean and accessible data, even the best models underperform.

Measurable outcomes

Measurable outcomes also require agreed metrics and accountability. Too often, organizations set vague goals like “improve efficiency” without defining how and by when.

Transformation initiatives succeed when they define targets that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This orientation keeps teams focused and allows for transparent progress tracking.

Common obstacles to digital transformation

The first obstacle is leadership misalignment. If executives do not agree on priorities, teams receive mixed signals, and resources are misapplied. Second is technical debt and legacy systems that resist integration. Third is skill gaps in data literacy and AI understanding among business teams.

Leadership misalignment happens when transformation is seen as an IT program rather than an enterprise-wide priority. True digital transformation consulting involves the full leadership team. Even when CEOs sponsor projects, transformation cannot occur in a silo.

Legacy systems and technical debt slow progress. Modern digital and AI solutions depend on reliable real-time data. Systems that were not designed for interoperability create friction. Consultants help map dependencies, sequence modernization steps, and advise on where to invest for maximum effect.

Skill gaps are function-specific. Finance, operations, marketing and sales teams may not have experience with AI-supported workflows. It is not enough to deploy AI. Teams must know how to interpret model outputs and use them in decisions. This is why our AI coaching service matters. Coaching targets the real issue: adoption and facing resistance.

What AI consulting services bring to transformation

Artificial intelligence consulting services are now inseparable from digital transformation. These services advise on selecting, customizing, and integrating AI tools that serve business goals. Good AI consulting does not chase trends. It starts with the business problem, then selects the technology that aligns with data readiness and user context.

At Bertoni Solutions, AI consulting begins with an assessment. We evaluate current processes, data architecture, and decision points that can benefit from automation or prediction. This assessment uncovers quick wins and long-term investments. Only after understanding these elements do we design AI workflows.

Next, our consultants build prototypes that demonstrate value quickly. These prototypes are not throwaway experiments. They are designed to be scalable. Early wins build confidence and justify broader investment. Across many projects, we see that prototypes often inform more robust solutions.

Finally, AI consulting includes governance and change support. AI models can drift over time. Without monitoring and governance, insights degrade. Organizations must establish ownership, thresholds for retraining, and clear feedback loops.

Why coaching matters

Transformation does not end when software is installed. Adoption and behavior change determine results. Many organizations underinvest in this dimension. Employees may revert to old habits if new tools feel complex or untrustworthy. Coaching addresses this directly.

Our AI coaching service guides teams in real time as they adopt new workflows. Coaches work with leaders and frontline teams to answer questions, refine practices, and ensure alignment with strategic metrics.

Coaching accelerates adoption and reduces backsliding into previous ineffective practices. Coaching also builds internal capability so teams sustain gains long after the consulting engagement ends.

How to start with digital transformation consulting

Starting transformation requires clarity, speed, and a plan.

1. Assess

Start with a high-level assessment of your current state. This should include interviews with leadership and frontline teams. Document key pain points and desired outcomes that are tied to measurable metrics. If data is fragmented, identify the systems that must be unified first.

2. Plan

Second, define a short list of transformation initiatives that align with strategic goals. Prioritize work that can demonstrate measurable value within a quarter. This creates momentum and builds credibility for larger programs.

3. Execute

Third, engage with consultants who have both the technical capability and the change leadership skills. The right partner will help you ground transformation in real outcomes. Expect an honest assessment that may challenge internal assumptions. Transformation is not about approving wish lists. It is about decisions that improve performance.

4. Coach

Fourth, embed coaching. Without coaching, knowledge transfer remains theoretical. Coaching ensures that teams build muscle memory with new tools and approaches. Training alone is not coaching. Coaching involves real work sessions, ongoing support, and alignment with live business challenges.

5. Measure

Finally, set governance and measurement. Establish who owns each metric, how often progress is reviewed, and what adjustments are authorized. This brings discipline to transformation and reduces waste.

Final thoughts

Digital transformation consulting is essential for organizations that want to remain competitive in the age of AI. The role of artificial intelligence consulting services is not optional. It is central to how firms improve decision quality, operational efficiency, and customer experiences.

Transformation requires clarity, alignment, execution discipline, and human-centered integration. Technology alone does not transform. People using technology in disciplined ways do. Coaching accelerates this process and ensures sustainable value creation.

If you are ready to accelerate your digital transformation with expert guidance that delivers real results, contact us to start your AI coaching engagement and secure your advantage.