McKinsey Ditches Slides for AI: What's Behind the Shift?

McKinsey consultants are saying goodbye to endless PowerPoint slides, turning instead to AI-powered tools that are changing how they manage projects. The firm's Global Leader for technology and AI, Kate Smaje, reports a significant drop in PowerPoint usage as employees embrace AI solutions. The real question is, why the sudden change?

The AI Shift in Consulting

One McKinsey consultant, Louis-Charles Généreux, has revolutionized his workflow with an AI-assisted website dubbed the 'client visualization hub.' Working with a North American cable company, Généreux needed an efficient way to keep 70 team members updated in real time. Traditionally, this would have meant juggling multiple versions of PowerPoint decks, a frustration many in consulting know too well.

The website eliminates version control issues by centralizing updates, making them searchable and accessible in one place. The demo is impressive. The deployment story is messier. But here's where it gets practical: Everyone involved sees the same data at the same time, reducing miscommunication among teams.

How the AI Hub Works

Généreux built the site using Platform McKinsey, selecting a deployment product to host it securely. The site combines HTML files with AI assistance to create interactive web pages. It's kept up to date automatically, even generating podcast-style summaries and memos each week. In production, this looks different from the typical slide deck approach, but it's clearly working.

While PowerPoint hasn't vanished entirely, it's shifted to being a final product rather than a day-to-day tool. Généreux notes that the real analytical work is now happening within AI tools, changing the consultants' daily grind.

Implications for the Industry

The use of AI in consulting is reshaping the industry. McKinsey, along with firms like BCG and Deloitte, isn't just advising clients on AI but integrating it into their operations. This evolution isn't without challenges. Pricing models, talent, and training are all being re-examined. Consultants are finding new ways to add value beyond just crunching data.

McKinsey's headcount now includes thousands of AI agents, many more than the 25,000 reported earlier this year. According to Smaje, AI is becoming the 'lifeblood' of McKinsey's operations. It's accelerated problem-solving from what used to be a 'week one answer' to an 'hour one answer,' freeing up time for deeper analysis.

But what does this mean for the future of consulting? Is the traditional consultant role fading away? Généreux mentions his team now spends more time exploring innovative ideas during 'dojo sessions,' something not feasible with the old system.

In the fast-paced world of consulting, AI is clearly more than a buzzword. It's transforming the way firms operate. The real test is always the edge cases, but it looks like McKinsey is ready for the challenge.