A good AI consultant looks at how your business runs, finds the work AI can take off your team, and tells you what to do first. A bad one sells you a strategy deck.
What an AI consultant does
- Learns how the business runs. Talks to the people who do the work, not just the owner.
- Maps and times the repetitive work. Where the hours go, and how often each task happens.
- Checks your existing tools. Many businesses already pay for AI features they don't use.
- Ranks the opportunities by hours saved, cost, effort and risk.
- Says where AI won't help. If they never say this, be wary.
- Plans the first step in enough detail that anyone could build it.
What you should get at the end
- A list of your processes with the time each takes now
- A ranked plan: what to automate first, second and third, with rough costs
- Data protection notes for each recommendation
- A clear "don't bother" list
- A plan that's yours, whether or not the consultant builds it
AI consultant vs AI agency vs doing it yourself
| Option | Best when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| AI consultant | You don't know where to start | Advice with no one to build it |
| AI agency | You know the process and want it built | Building what you asked for, not what you need |
| Consultant who builds | You want both, with one team accountable | Make sure the plan stays yours |
| Do it yourself | One simple process, someone keen in-house | Time cost and data protection gaps |
What does AI consultancy cost?
For a small business, an AI audit is usually a fixed-price piece of work that takes about a week. Day rates vary widely in Ireland and the UK. Whatever the price, ask for a fixed quote up front and a clear list of what you'll receive.
Questions to ask before hiring one
- Do you resell software or take commissions? (If so, ask how they choose tools.)
- Can you show me a plan you've written, with the client's name removed?
- Who will actually do the work?
- What will you tell me not to automate?
- Who owns the plan and anything you build?
When you don't need one
If you already know the process that's costing you time, and it's a simple one, you may not need an audit. Go straight to building it, or try it yourself with a tool like Zapier. If your team just needs to get comfortable with AI, start with training instead.
If you're not sure, our AI consultancy starts with a free 45-minute call, and we'll tell you honestly if an audit isn't worth it for you.