Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Expertise Disrupted? Consulting Confront...

McDonald, Rory, Ha...

Case

Expertise Disrupted? Consulting Confronts Generative AI

McDonald, Rory; Harris, Jared D.; Klopfenstein, Amy

S-0477 | Published September 16, 2025 | 13 Pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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This case places students in the shoes of a partner at McKinsey & Company, Inc. (McKinsey), as she grapples with how the firm should respond to generative AI. Although management consulting was resilient during disruptions like the rise of the internet and the COVID-19 pandemic, the $1 trillion industry now must respond to generative AI tools that can analyze data, produce research, and generate outputs traditionally handled by junior consultants. The case examines how different management consulting firms have responded to AI, highlights different potential paths forward for the industry, and challenges students to decide which path—if any—is the right course of action for McKinsey. This case would be suitable for MBA or executive education courses on strategy, technological disruption, and business and society.