Consultancy reporting on AI isn’t doing enough.
?? New Research Alert: Easy to Read, Easier to Write: The Politics of AI in Consultancy Trade Research
How well do we understand AI use in business and policymaking? Consultancy reports are among the most widely read sources on AI implementations, and for good reason. They are well written, engaging, pertinent, and timely. At the same time, our research finds major gaps in evidence quality, transparency, and breadth of coverage.
Our latest study, published Open-Access in Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor & Francis Group), examines consultancy reporting on AI since the launch of GPT and highlights key strengths and weaknesses:
? What consultancy reports do well:
?? Speed. Rapid production keeps them relevant
?? Client-focused. Tailored to business needs
?? Actionable. Clear, practical recommendations
?? Where they fall short:
? Self-referential. Often cite their own surveys rather than independent data.
? Transparency issues. Data collection methods can be unclear & reports often include consultancy services in the strategic recommendations, obscuring the line between strategic report and sales pitch.
? Limited scope. Mostly focus on large firms, leaving SMEs unaddressed. Little or no consideration of well-known patterns of abuse in the AI labour force, nor of environmental, energy infrastructure, and second-order consequences.
The takeaway?
We call for more collaboration between business consultants, management scientists, and policymakers to produce reliable, well-rounded insights on AI in business. We believe that the function of business is to provide opportunities for people to work together to build great things. Our practical experience is that consultants have a vital role in the endeavour to make AI tools a part of a bright future for everyone.
?? Read the full article here and please share: https://lnkd.in/eA_WYnqW
Citation: Mackenzie, T., Radelji?, B., & Heslinga, O. (2025). Easy to read, easier to write: the politics of AI in consultancy trade research. Cogent Social Sciences, 11(1), 2470368. DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2025.2470368
About the Aula Fellowship:
?? Coalitions are a powerful force for change. Co-authors Tammy Mackenzie, Branislav RADELJIC, PhD SFHEA and Olivia Heslinga are Green Hall Aula Fellows. This research is part of the work we do at The Aula Fellowship for AI Science, Tech, and Policy. Our mission is to get everyone to the conversation on AI. We are available to discuss this research and your work.
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