Straight Talk Insight

Why External AI Consulting Often Comes Too Early

When companies talk about AI, one sentence almost always comes early: "We need someone from outside." That's understandable. And yet external AI consulting often comes too early.

By Ingolf Christian Ernst 1/15/2026

When companies talk about AI, one sentence almost always comes early:
“We need someone from outside.”

That’s understandable.
AI is complex. The market is loud.

And yet external AI consulting often comes too early.

Not because consultants are bad.
But because the crucial groundwork is still missing.

The question is not how AI is implemented.
But for what purpose.

If it’s not clear internally,

  • which decisions should be improved
  • what investments should contribute to
  • who bears responsibility

consulting becomes an activity amplifier.

Analysis happens. Concepts are created. Presentations are given.
And in the end, uncertainty remains.

Uncertainty cannot be outsourced.
It can only be clarified.

Good consulting works
when it’s clear internally what needs to be clarified.

Before that, it remains busywork.

Tags: #ai#strategy#clarity

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