Whilst I am no AI expert (is anyone???), I have recently built a solid understanding on the subject and have found the journey to a higher level of understanding, both engaging and fast-paced. As I continue to explore how AI can best support MI Global Partners (MI) and our clients, I am constantly learning and adapting, sharing new insights with the team every week – and I wanted to share some things I’ve learnt along the way.

 

Challenges for Consultancies in the AI Era

 

The meteoric rise of AI is an undeniable reality, impacting every facet of our lives, consultancies included. MI is an established specialist in the field of Events, Sport & Place and we recognise this technological surge presents both immense potential and considerable risk if not implemented correctly.

 

The consulting profession is built on providing fearless, frank and above all, expert advice. Clients seek out MI for our deep understanding, nuanced insights and the ability to cut through the noise to deliver actionable solutions.

 

The Power of AI

 

AI has the potential to fuel our intellectual property, sifting through decades of accumulated knowledge, proprietary methodologies and hard-won experience. This is where the true magic of AI unfolds. When we apply AI, underpinned by genuine expertise and industry knowledge, it becomes a powerful tool that has enabled us to:

• Streamline internal processes - automating routine tasks, freeing our consultants to focus on strategic thinking, client relationships and innovation.

• Process vast datasets with remarkable speed - uncovering patterns and correlations that would take human analysts weeks or months to identify.

• Enhance predictive accuracy - harnessing machine learning, allowing us to build sophisticated forecasting models that enable clients to make informed decisions with greater confidence.

• Personalise recommendations at scale - tailoring advice to each client’s unique circumstances and delivering bespoke solutions that drive real results.

 

The Dangers of Generic AI Content Diluting Expertise

 

The AI revolution brings risks as well as opportunities. The widespread availability of AI tools has led to an influx of generic content posing as expert advice. Without the nuanced understanding of an experienced consultant, AI often produces superficial insights and cookie-cutter recommendations, saturating the market with generic advice.

 

The consequences are significant:

• Misinformed decisions - AI often overlooks critical intricacies, leading to flawed strategies and unsophisticated outcomes.

• Erosion of trust - When AI driven advice fails to deliver, it damages client confidence and the consulting profession as a whole.

• Repetitive & reused – Content output can often be repetitive, use generic AI language and lack new ideas.

• A race to the bottom - The proliferation of AI generated content drives down fees and undermines the true value of genuine expertise.

 

Responsible AI Adoption

 

So, how has MI harnessed the power of AI while mitigating the risks to our reputation and delivering real value to clients?

• Establish clear AI policies and procedures - Comprehensive documentation guides responsible AI use at MI, and an AI Committee oversees implementation and governance, ensuring ethical and effective integration across the business.

• We prioritise expertise - AI enhances, rather than replaces human insight. All our consultants remain central to the advisory process, ensuring AI-driven recommendations are aligned with client objectives.

• We invest in proprietary IP - Our competitive edge comes from leveraging unique datasets and methodologies developed over 24 years in the Event, Sport and Place industries. We build our own AI engines, fuelled by our consultancy’s proprietary knowledge. The confidentiality & security of our and our client’s information remains our number one priority.

• We embrace continuous learning - The AI landscape is constantly evolving, so we invest in ongoing training and development for our team.

• We promote transparency and clarity - Clients understand how AI informs our advice and we are open about our processes and the role of AI in our recommendations.

• We focus on value, not just efficiency - We use AI to deliver tangible results and a competitive edge, rather than simply cutting costs.

 

The Rise of AI Agents: A New Era of Collaboration

 

One of the most exciting developments is the use of AI agents, which are autonomous systems capable of performing complex tasks, learning from interactions and collaborating with human experts.

 

At MI, AI agents:

• Accelerate research by rapidly gathering and combining data from diverse sources.

• Spot trends by identifying emerging opportunities and risks in real time.

• Deliver tailored insights by generating recommendations specific to each client’s needs.

• Enhance productivity by automating routine analysis, freeing consultants for high-value, strategic work.

 

What makes MI’s approach to AI truly unique and valuable for our clients?

 

The path forward is not about resisting change but about embracing it with a clear strategy that puts expertise, proprietary knowledge and client value at the centre. At MI, we invest in our people, our IP and foster a culture of continuous learning, to ensure we can navigate the AI frontier with confidence, delivering unparalleled results for our clients.

 

• Industry-Specific Insight - With 24 years at the forefront of our industries, we understand the nuances, challenges and opportunities that define these sectors. Our recommendations are not only data-driven but grounded in real-world experience.

• Proprietary Methodologies - We have developed and refined our own frameworks, tools and datasets over decades of experience. This proprietary knowledge ensures our insights are tailored specifically to client needs, never generic or ‘one-size-fits-all’.

• Client-Centric Innovation - We do not simply adopt the latest AI trends, we adapt them to fit each client’s unique objectives. Our approach is collaborative, creating solutions that deliver measurable impact.

• Human Expertise at the Core: While AI is a powerful tool, it is guided by our team of seasoned consultants who bring critical thinking, creativity and ethical judgement to every project.

• Transparency and Trust - We believe in open communication about how AI informs our advice. Clients know exactly how recommendations are generated, fostering trust and confidence in our solutions.

• Continuous Learning and Adaptation - We invest in ongoing training and development, ensuring both our team and technology remain ahead of the curve. This commitment to learning means our clients benefit from the latest advancements and best practices.

 

How Can Our Learnings Help You?

 

As the AI author, Tim Trumper said, "AI won’t take your job. A company, whose executives know how to use it, will take your business".

 

Here are five key takeaways (and easy implementation ideas) from what our journey has taught us (so far)….

 

1. Experimentation - Allow staff to have AI play time, which fosters innovation and fast learning on this rapidly changing subject. At MI we call it “AI Play” and openly encourage our team to take some time out each week to explore the world of AI.

2. Internal Champions - Designate staff to continuously monitor AI use, stay on top of trends and act as go-to resources for the team. These champions can also help set-up your prompt library, track process auditing and create targeted automations. At MI we have an AI Committee as well as a centralised workspace on all matters and articles related to AI.

3. Selection & Collaboration - Encourage a trial of multiple AI tools (for CRM, analytics, document drafting, etc.) and collaboratively select those that best fit your business, it’s workflows and client needs. At MI we openly discussed our preferred tools and collaboratively chose the preferred tools for our business’s needs.

4. Language Settings - Ensure your staff have added specific language settings in their AI platforms. Two examples (of many) are, setting your platforms to British English spelling (no z’s!!) and ensuring no em ‘—’ dash! At MI we provided our staff with a list of settings to put in place within their AI platforms to ensure their output does not require significant editing or spell checking.

5. Efficient Prompting - Maintain a shared repository of effective prompts for generative AI tools, tailored to suit your consultancy’s needs. At MI we hold Lunch & Learn sessions, with our most recent session on ‘how to effectively prompt’, providing staff with tips & tricks to get the best generative AI outcomes.

   • An additional prompt tip from me to the reader… write this when you prompt – “Act as a prompt engineer, review the following prompt for me, optimise it to make it better and ask me any questions you have before proceeding.”

 

MI Global Partners has a long history of delivering successful outcomes for clients across Event, Sport and Place. Our AI-powered solutions build on this legacy, offering clients not just efficiency but a strategic advantage, deeply informed by industry expertise, proprietary knowledge and a client-first mindset. This is why clients trust MI to deliver results that matter and why we are their partner of choice in navigating the AI frontier.

 

If you’re wondering….did I write this article? Yes I did.  Did I also use AI to review and enhance it, given I’m not an AI expert or professional author - absolutely!