For the past decade, especially since ChatGPT’s release in 2022, businesses have been looking for new ways to use AI to improve productivity, reduce costs, and replace entire services. As of 2024, 83% of businesses name AI implementation as their top business priority, with 77% of companies already exploring the use of AI.
The widespread AI implementation is not surprising. A 2024 study commissioned by Microsoft found that adopting AI technologies can have as big of a return on investment as $3.7x for every dollar spent. Some research even claims that generative AI has the potential to close the gap in performance between small and large businesses, as AI tools provide an affordable replacement for job outsourcing or in-house recruitment.
Over 60% of organizations globally plan to adopt AI in the upcoming years, but almost half are holding back. Such businesses are understandably concerned about integrating AI into existing processes and systems and regulatory complications.
This is where artificial intelligence consulting services come into the picture.
What is AI Consulting?
Artificial intelligence consulting combines a wide range of services from auditing your current AI adoption strategy to full-cycle custom artificial intelligence solution development, or anything in between. AI consulting companies identify areas where your business can leverage AI solutions most efficiently – and help you implement and maintain them.
As a result of AI consulting, artificial intelligence transforms from a mystical concept to something at your fingertips, ready to revolutionize your business.
Role of AI Consultants
By definition, AI consultants are highly skilled specialists who combine expertise in business strategy, your specific industry, and AI development. They merge analytical thinking, industry-specific expertise, and technical background to help you meet your business objectives using AI technologies.
When you bring AI experts on board, they will facilitate the following activities for your business:
- Conduct a thorough assessment of your business. Upon project start, AI consulting companies will analyze your business goals and strategy, current workflows and technologies, and organizational structure. They will also assess your data to ensure that it provides meaningful insights for future AI models.
- Define AI implementation potential. AI experts will identify the key areas in your business where implementing AI will bring the highest return on investment, all tailored to your industry and unique business needs
- Implement the AI solutions. AI experts will choose the right AI technologies, design an AI model, integrate the solution with your current systems, and upskill employees and technical specialists to ensure the adoption of changes with minimal learning curve.
- Measure the effects for your business. Developing clear targets and KPIs will let you evaluate the exact value AI implementation has yielded for your business — and identify where additional iterations are necessary.
Benefits of AI Consulting
Keep track of rapidly evolving AI technologies
The AI landscape is evolving faster than most other industries, and keeping up with the ethical implementation and categorization of AI systems will take up a significant portion of your software engineers’ time. On the contrary, by bringing an external AI specialist on board, you can be confident that the knowledge obtained from them is up-to-date and ready to implement.
Ensure regulatory compliance
As with regular software, AI technologies for your business need to uphold high ethical standards and industry- and location-specific data protection laws, including HIPAA and GDPR. AI consulting companies can help mitigate those risks and ensure that your AI solutions are ethical and safe.
Relieve the stress of hiring in-house talent
A recent LinkedIn report indicates a 74% annual increase in job postings for AI specialists, with only 1 in 10 global workers possessing artificial intelligence skills. High recruitment costs associated with hiring AI-skilled workers are one of the reasons why so many businesses turn to artificial intelligence consulting services instead.
Integrate AI solutions into existing systems
Moving forward with AI implementation does not mean that your current off-the-shelf or custom software systems will lose their value. As part of the process, AI experts will conduct a thorough assessment of your current workflows and technology in use, allowing you to adopt AI technologies without building your product or system from scratch.
Enjoy a service tailored to your unique business needs
Instead of offering you a one-fits-all solution, deep analysis conducted by AI experts will enable them to recommend customized AI solutions tailored to your needs. Whether it’s choosing the right off-the-shelf solution or integrating an open-source tool into your existing system, AI consulting companies will identify the optimal fit.
Types of AI Consulting Services
AI consulting companies provide a wide range of services from full-cycle custom AI solution development to auditing your AI strategy. The following list summarizes the most common AI consulting and development services your business could benefit from.
Development of AI Strategy
AI experts can extend your in-house engineering team or software development vendor by conducting a comprehensive audit of your business and developing a detailed roadmap of AI implementation steps. During this process, AI experts will choose the most suitable AI solutions based on your needs, such as cognitive computing, robotics, machine learning models, or natural language processing.
Additionally, AI consultants will identify the high-potential points in your current workflows where introducing AI solutions yields the most value. Experienced AI experts will match all the proposed ideas with your business strategy and objectives.
Example. A small eCommerce business hired an AI consulting company to audit its current online store, CRM, and inventory management systems. After the assessment, they learned which machine learning tools can enhance their product recommendations section, which natural language processing models can revolutionize their customer experience, and which data analytics AI solutions will help them plan inventory purchases with higher precision. The business then leveraged its in-house engineering team to implement and maintain the solutions.
Custom AI Solution Development
For most purposes, businesses can benefit from existing AI models and tools and customize them for their business processes. In some cases, though, developing a custom AI solution is sensible from both financial and strategic points of view. This is especially relevant for enterprises in highly competitive data-driven industries such as finance.
In such cases, AI experts develop an AI solution from scratch. They create algorithms, design data models, and define structures to deliver custom AI technologies specifically for your business. To train the AI models, engineers use your internal data, giving you a unique advantage over competitors. However, it is crucial to find the right balance between full automation and human-AI collaboration, particularly when assessing client needs and focusing on security aspects. On the downside, such an AI model requires ongoing training using newly generated data, which increases development costs.
Example. An investment management company developed its own AI model trained on internal data. The model was able to predict investment viability with high accuracy, and, most importantly, it used algorithms drastically different from those of the business’ competitors.
Implementing AI Technologies
In addition to developing a comprehensive AI strategy, AI consulting services can include the full-cycle AI implementation process from assessing the quality of your data to upskilling your staff.
This process will look differently depending on your industry and unique business needs, but it generally includes the following steps:
- Assess data quality. AI models are trained on existing data, so before implementing any solutions, AI developers will ensure that your data is well-structured and of high quality. If not, they will help refine the data to provide meaningful insights for future AI solution development.
- Integrate AI solutions into your existing workflows. AI experts will merge AI-powered tools with your current systems using APIs, plugins, cloud platforms, data lakes, or even edge computing. The choice depends on which method is the most reliable, quick to implement, and within your budget.
- Upskill your staff. AI implementation is of little use if your employees are not on board with it. AI experts will train workers to use AI-powered technology in their daily workflows and even drive AI transformation. With the right approach, AI consulting can help you minimize the learning curve for workers and empower them to train AI models.
- Ensure regulatory compliance. During the AI implementation process, consultants must apply the regulatory requirements specific to your industry. This step ensures the security of your data and the high ethical standards of AI technologies used.
- Maintain and support AI solutions. As AI solutions are constantly evolving, AI implementation is not a set-and-forget task. AI experts will develop a strategy for you to maintain and update your AI solutions further, enabling your business to stay at the forefront of industry trends.
Example. An enterprise in the Automotive sector decided to enhance its custom ERP system with AI. Together with AI consulting specialists, they automated repetitive tasks such as invoice processing, customer service requests, and data entry validation. Instead of building an ERP system from scratch, they integrated AI-powered SaaS solutions into their current workflows. In the process, AI experts held training sessions for workers affected by changes. They also conducted a thorough analysis of local data processing laws, mitigating any legal risks for the business.
Analyzing AI Solution Efficiency
To achieve the most value from your artificial intelligence implementation venture, AI specialists will develop comprehensive KPIs and ROI goals specifically for your project. These metrics will empower you to make data-driven decisions as to the next steps of the AI transformation for your business.
Example. Artificial intelligence consultants helped a healthcare clinic adopt AI technologies to automate their workflows. As part of the project, they developed metrics to observe the success of the AI adoption. These metrics included patient readmission rate, average wait time, diagnosis accuracy, and patient satisfaction.
Industry-Specific AI Applications
With thousands of AI tools on the market, each industry is able to benefit from AI technologies and streamline operations in their unique ways.
- Finance. AI consulting services allow financial institutions to build tools that automate market trend analysis, make precise investment predictions, and identify key risks. Domo, for example, can integrate financial data into user-friendly dashboards.
- Healthcare. Arguably, healthcare is the industry with the most AI implementation potential, from predicting Alzheimer’s disease to developing vaccines. However, the most common use of AI solutions in healthcare now are processing medical imaging and summarizing patient records. A popular tool is Consensus AI, which can analyze hundreds of research papers in seconds and summarize findings for doctors with busy schedules.
- Education. Despite AI usage being restricted in many educational institutions, some already leverage the tools for quick assignment reviews, building individual learning strategies, or designing lecture slides in seconds using Canva.
- Retail. AI solutions found many use cases in retail, including AI-powered customer chatbots and personalized recommendations. Many eCommerce businesses, for instance, integrate a custom version of ChatGPT trained on their own datasets.
- Marketing. AI technology automated a wide range of marketing tasks, from producing copy to predicting consumer behavior. Surfer SEO, for example, can enhance your copy so that it ranks higher in search engines.
- Software engineering. Software Engineers were one of the first groups to adopt AI to produce custom code, automate code reviews, or replace entire system modules with simple AI solutions. For example, Aider is a tool that helps developers orient themselves in large codebases.
- Human resources. From AI-powered CV screening to automating employee onboarding with helpful chatbots, AI technologies have proven indispensable in HR. For instance, Workable can conduct preliminary video interviews with candidates without a recruiter.
Choosing the Right AI Consulting Company
Choosing the right partner in the AI implementation process is crucial. Your choice will determine how much value you reap from your investment, how seamlessly you integrate the solution with your current systems, and if you manage to avoid any potential risks associated with AI technologies. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing the right AI consulting company:
Cost-to-value ratio
How do you balance cost with quality, especially when it comes to AI solution development? Most AI consulting companies will agree to complete a small proof-of-value task to showcase their abilities at a fraction of the full project price. If possible, run such micro-projects when choosing an AI consulting partner to determine the best fit.
Technical expertise in your industry
When AI consulting companies are experts in your business niche, it will show during all steps of the AI implementation process. Analyzing business needs, ensuring compliance with industry-specific regulations, and choosing the right AI technologies all require that a vendor understands your domain deeply. When browsing through AI consulting companies for your venture, look for a vendor with a wide portfolio of projects for other companies in your industry.
Track record of successful projects
A proven track record of successful projects is just as important as industry-specific expertise. To determine a vendor who will put your needs first, ask your potential AI consulting company for recommendations from former clients, look for independent reviews online, and carefully read through the company’s case studies.
Ability to align AI solutions with your business goals
You are not integrating AI just for the sake of it — you do it to advance your business. An AI consulting company must be able to assess your true needs as a client and offer the most effective solutions. Focus on vendors who align every decision with the client’s business strategy and objectives when showcasing their past projects.
At Akveo, we deliver high-quality AI solutions that boost growth, reduce operational costs, and let you concentrate on scaling your business. If you are in search of a reliable AI consulting partner, we are just a message away.
Streamlining Gifting Marketplace Operations with Retool
Afloat, a gifting marketplace, needed custom dashboards to streamline order management, delivery tracking, and reporting while integrating with Shopify and external APIs.
The solution:
We built two Retool-based dashboards:
- A Retail Partner Dashboard embedded into Shopify for managing orders and store performance.
- An Admin Dashboard for handling deliveries and partner data.
Both dashboards included real-time integration with Afloat's Backend and APIs for accurate, up-to-date data and scalability.
The result: enhanced efficiency, error-free real-time data, and scalable dashboards for high-order volumes.
Billing Automation for a SaaS Company with Low-Code
Our client needed a robust billing solution to manage hierarchical licenses, ensure compliance, and automate invoicing for streamlined operations.
The solution:
We developed a Retool-based application that supports multi-tiered licenses, automates invoicing workflows, and integrates seamlessly with CRM and accounting platforms to enhance financial data management.
The result:
- Achieved 100% adherence to licensing agreements, mitigating penalties.
- Automated invoicing and workflows reduced manual effort significantly.
- Dashboards and reports improved decision-making and operational visibility.
Retool Dashboards with HubSpot Integration
Our client needed a centralized tool to aggregate account and contact activity, improving visibility and decision-making for the sales team.
The solution
We built a Retool application integrated with HubSpot, QuickMail, and Clay.com. The app features dashboards for sorting, filtering, and detailed views of companies, contacts, and deals, along with real-time notifications and bidirectional data syncing.
The result
- MVP in 50 hours: Delivered a functional application in just 50 hours.
- Smarter decisions: Enabled data-driven insights for strategic planning.
- Streamlined operations: Reduced manual tasks with automation and real-time updates.
Lead Generation Tool to Reduce Manual Work
Our client, Afore Capital, a venture capital firm focused on pre-seed investments, aimed to automate their lead generation processes but struggled with existing out-of-the-box solutions. To tackle this challenge, they sought assistance from our team of Akveo Retool experts.
The scope of work
The client needed a tailored solution to log and track inbound deals effectively. They required an application that could facilitate the addition, viewing, and editing of company and founder information, ensuring data integrity and preventing duplicates. Additionally, Afore Capital aimed to integrate external tools like PhantomBuster and LinkedIn to streamline data collection.
The result
By developing a custom Retool application, we streamlined the lead generation process, significantly reducing manual data entry. The application enabled employees to manage inbound deals efficiently while automated workflows for email parsing, notifications, and dynamic reporting enhanced operational efficiency. This allowed Afore Capital's team to focus more on building relationships with potential founders rather than on administrative tasks.
Retool CMS Application for EdTech Startup
Our client, CutTime, a leading fine arts education management platform, needed a scalable CMS application to improve vendor product management and user experience.
The scope of work
We developed a Retool application that allows vendors to easily upload and manage product listings, handle inventory, and set shipping options. The challenge was to integrate the app with the client’s system, enabling smooth authentication and product management for program directors.
The result
Our solution streamlined product management, reducing manual work for vendors, and significantly improving operational efficiency.
Building Reconciliation Tool for e-commerce company
Our client was in need of streamlining and simplifying its monthly accounting reconciliation process – preferably automatically. But with a lack of time and low budget for a custom build, development of a comprehensive software wasn’t in the picture. After going through the case and customer’s needs, we decided to implement Retool. And that was the right choice.
The scope of work
Our team developed a custom reconciliation tool designed specifically for the needs of high-volume transaction environments. It automated the processes and provided a comprehensive dashboard for monitoring discrepancies and anomalies in real-time.
The implementation of Retool significantly reduced manual effort, as well as fostered a more efficient and time-saving reconciliation process.
Creating Retool Mobile App for a Wine Seller
A leading spirits and wine seller in Europe required the development of an internal mobile app for private client managers and administrators. The project was supposed to be done in 1,5 months. Considering urgency and the scope of work, our developers decided to use Retool for swift and effective development.
The scope of work
Our developers built a mobile application tailored to the needs of the company's sales force: with a comprehensive overview of client interactions, facilitated order processing, and enabled access to sales history and performance metrics. It was user-friendly, with real-time updates, seamlessly integrated with existing customer databases.
The result? Increase in productivity of the sales team and improved decision-making process. But most importantly, positive feedback from the customers themselves.
Developing PoC with Low Code for a Tour Operator
To efficiently gather, centralize, and manage data is a challenge for any tour operator. Our client was not an exception. The company was seeking to get an internal software that will source information from third-party APIs and automate the travel itinerary creation process. Preferably, cost- and user-friendly tool.
The scope of work
Our experts ensured the client that all the requirements could be covered by Retool. And just in 40 hours a new software was launched. The tool had a flexible and easy-to-use interface with user authentication and an access management system panel – all the company needed. At the end, Retool was considered the main tool to replace the existing system.
Testing New Generation of Lead Management Tool with Retool
Our client, a venture fund, had challenges with managing lead generation and client acquisition. As the company grew, it aimed to attract more clients and scale faster, as well as automate the processes to save time, improve efficiency and minimize human error. The idea was to craft an internal lead generation tool that will cover all the needs. We’ve agreed that Retool will be a perfect tool for this.
The scope of work
The project initially began as a proof of concept, but soon enough, with each new feature delivered, the company experienced increased engagement and value.
We developed a web tool that integrates seamlessly with Phantombuster for data extraction and LinkedIn for social outreach. Now, the company has a platform that elevates the efficiency of their lead generation activities and provides deep insights into potential client bases.
Building an Advanced Admin Portal for Streamlined Operations
Confronted with the need for more sophisticated internal tools, an owner of IP Licensing marketplace turned to Retool to utilize its administrative functions. The primary goal was to construct an advanced admin portal that could support complex, multi-layered processes efficiently.
The scope of work
Our client needed help with updating filters and tables for its internal platform. In just 30 hours we've been able to update and create about 6 pages. Following features were introduced: add complex filtering and search, delete records, styling application with custom CSS.
Together, we have increased performance on most heavy pages and fixed circular dependency issues.
Creating MVP Dashboard for Google Cloud Users
Facing the challenge of unoptimized cloud resource management, a technology firm working with Google Cloud users was looking for a solution to make its operations more efficient. The main idea of the project was to create an MVP for e-commerce shops to test some client hypotheses. Traditional cloud management tools fell short.
The scope of work
Determined to break through limitations, our team of developers turned Retool. We decided to craft an MVP Dashboard specifically for Google Cloud users. This wasn't just about bringing data into view; but about reshaping how teams interact with their cloud environment.
We designed a dashboard that turned complex cloud data into a clear, strategic asset thanks to comprehensive analytics, tailored metrics, and an intuitive interface, that Retool provides. As the results, an increase in operational efficiency, significant improvement in cost management and resource optimization.
Elevating CRM with Custom HubSpot Sales Dashboard
Our other client, a SaaS startup, that offers collaborative tools for design and engineering teams, was on a quest to supercharge their sales efforts. Traditional CRM systems were limited and not customizable enough. The company sought a solution that could tailor HubSpot to their workflow and analytics needs.
The scope of work
Charged with the task of going beyond standard CRM functions, our team turned to Retool. We wanted to redefine how sales teams interact with their CRM.
By integrating advanced analytics, custom metrics, and a user-friendly interface, our developers provided a solution that transformed data into a strategic asset.
In 40 hours, three informative dashboards were developed, containing the most sensitive data related to sales activities. These dashboards enable our customer to analyze sales and lead generation performance from a different perspective and establish the appropriate KPIs.
Building a PDF Editor with Low-Code
Our client, a leading digital credential IT startup, needed a lot of internal processes to be optimized. But the experience with low-code tools wasn’t sufficient. That’s why the company decided to hire professionals. And our team of developers joined the project.
The scope of work
The client has a program that designs and prints custom badges for customers. The badges need to be “mail-merged” with a person’s info and turned into a PDF to print. But what is the best way to do it?
Our developers decided to use Retool as a core tool. Using custom components and JavaScript, we developed a program that reduced employees' time for designing, putting the data, verifying, and printing PDF badges in one application.
As a result, the new approach significantly reduces the time required by the internal team to organize all the necessary staff for the conference, including badge creation.
