Will you, as an IT consultant, soon be replaced by AI?

It is a question asked more and more often: will IT consultants soon be replaced by AI? The short answer is no. But as always, it is a bit more nuanced. It depends on what you do as a consultant.

Technology changes work without making it redundant

Technological progress has always changed the way we work, without making us redundant as professionals. Think of the introduction of the calculator. It did not make accountants disappear, it made their work more efficient. Or the arrival of the tractor: farming changed fundamentally, but farmers did not lose their jobs. They could do more with the same number of people.

A market growing explosively

According to Bain & Company, the AI market will grow explosively in the coming years, with an annual increase of 40 to 55 percent. By 2027 this market could reach 780 to 990 billion dollars. That means AI will play an ever bigger role, not only in IT but in every aspect of our lives.

One example is the management and maintenance of data centres. Bain expects data centre costs to rise sharply over the next five years, mainly due to growing energy capacity and the technology needed to support AI applications. Think powerful chips, but also complex cooling systems and infrastructure.

What does this mean for the IT consultant?

The impact of AI will first be felt in routine tasks such as first-line IT support, data entry and simple programming functions. These tasks are increasingly automated by AI, which allows consultants to focus on more complex and creative work.

How do you prepare for the sharp rise of AI in your field?

• Use the technology yourself as much as possible.
• Look at which certifications, such as those from Microsoft or Cisco, you can earn to better understand new functions.
• Keep your knowledge up to date through training such as the Projinit Academy.

Conclusion

Thanks to AI, consultants can focus more on creativity and innovation instead of being stuck in routine tasks. This opens up new opportunities to add even more value for clients. AI is undoubtedly a powerful tool that optimises the work of consultants, but human expertise, intuition and creativity remain essential for delivering valuable insights and solutions.