Artificial intelligence, the tech revolution and the future of consulting

If you want to know the future of business consulting, just look to the firms and universities at the forefront of a revolution in technology and a transformation in recruiting. I write those words as both a means of advice, to readers, and as an admonition, to companies. Far too many businesses are not ready for this change -- too few are even aware that change is afoot -- so preparing for this event is critical to the health of the economy and the expansion of the workforce as a whole. I refer, specifically, to the rise of artificial intelligence (A.I.) and the proliferation of big data. According to Braden Kelley, an innovation and consulting expert, a good way to understand this shift is to review the key concepts presented in this image of The Knowledge Funnel, a concept Roger Martin introduced in his book The Design of Business.