“AI is entering an unprecedented regime.”, “AI promises a future of unparalleled abundance”, “AI is already taking jobs away”.
AI this, AI that. Put your hand up if you’re starting to feel a little fatigued by the extremes of ultra-optimists and doom-saying cynics.
It’s time for the AI realists.
Instead of getting lost in futuristic speculation, let’s reframe our perspectives on this developing technology - ultimately, it’s a tool and it’s definitely here to stay.
In this article, we’ll focus on practical applications that can help with day-to-day work and develop your skills as a consultant, analyst or researcher. We’ll talk about useful AI tools for:
Making your research process more efficient.
Sharpening up your reporting and data analysis.
Making your workflow actually work for you.
Should you make AI tools a priority?
For young consultants, analysts, and researchers, the question isn’t whether AI is important; it’s how important it should be relative to your other professional priorities.
AI tools are no longer just futuristic concepts; they are practical, everyday resources that can significantly enhance your work efficiency, and they’re catching on like wildfire. In a recent Savanta survey that explored how 1,041 students utilised AI, it was found that:
The proportion of students reporting using any AI tool has jumped from 66% last year to 92% this year(2025).
This huge year-on-year jump shows just how second-nature many AI tools are becoming. The study also found that the main use of these tools was “generating text” using programmes like Grammarly and ChatGPT.
Not only can these tools save time, but when used effectively, they can also improve the quality of your work. And when you’re working as a consultant, analyst or researcher, this can make a huge difference in work-stress levels and speed of operation.
It’s important to note that using AI tools doesn’t mean abandoning traditional methods or over-relying on automation. There’s space for both in modern working life.
Where to start with AI tools?
There’s a jungle of tools available, some much better than others.
It’s essential to conduct thorough research, rather than wasting your time and energy signing up for something that will become obsolete in a week.
Tip: Most of the tools mentioned below offer trial periods or free versions. We recommend taking advantage of these before committing to a pricey package.
3 Tools to supercharge your research
Research is the backbone of consulting, analysis, and academic work, providing the evidence and insights needed to make informed decisions.
For consultants, research helps identify market trends, client challenges, and strategic opportunities - meaning you can give the most informed recommendations. Additionally, you need to interpret data, helping businesses find actionable insights.
So, what are the best AI research tools available?
1. Perplexity AI
Perplexity AI is like having a supercharged research buddy. It quickly gathers information, sums up key points, and even helps spot gaps in your knowledge. Instead of opening dozens of tabs and hunting for answers, you can get clear, direct insights in one place. That said, when it comes to very niche research topics, many people find that answers can sometimes feel a bit surface-level, but for most day-to-day projects, it’s an absolute time-saver.
2. Crystal Knows
If you want to analyse online behaviour, you might want to try Crystal Knows. It gives you personality insights that can help you tailor how you talk to clients or teammates. Need to know if someone prefers straight-to-the-point emails or a more detailed approach? Crystal could help you get the tone right, making your interactions smoother and more effective.
3. SlideSpeak
SlideSpeak is a tool that automates the creation of presentation slides from documents or text prompts. It offers custom templates and allows users to chat with documents to summarise key information, streamlining the process of preparing client presentations. It’s especially handy for busy professionals who need to refresh client decks or quickly turn meeting notes into a polished presentation.
3 Useful tools for data analysis and reporting
If you’re in the consulting industry, you will undoubtedly be familiar with the stress of having to use vast datasets to help businesses identify trends and present findings clearly to clients.
Whether you need to improve accuracy, efficiency, or clarity, there are plenty of tools that can streamline data processing and give your visuals an added pop!
1. Power BI
Even if you’re not a natural “data person,” you still need to be able to quickly spot opportunities and share clean, interactive reports with your team or clients. One tool you could use to help is Microsoft's Power BI. This programme integrates AI-driven features like natural language queries and predictive analytics, allowing you to uncover insights and trends without deep technical expertise.
2. Tableau
You may have already heard about Tableau, as its popularity has skyrocketed in the past year. This powerful data visualisation tool incorporates AI features such as "Ask Data" and "Explain Data." These functionalities enable consultants to interact with data using natural language and receive automated explanations of trends, facilitating more intuitive data exploration.
3. UiPath
UiPath is all about saving time on repetitive, low-value tasks. Its robotic process automation (RPA) tools can handle things like data entry, report generation, or updating spreadsheets in the background while you focus on strategic, high-impact work. For busy consultants and analysts, UiPath can be a game-changer, helping you reclaim hours every week.
Top tools for workflow management
We all want smoother, more efficient workflows, especially with busy working schedules! There’s nothing more frustrating than spending time fixing a broken automation or hunting down a missed task.
By integrating task management tools and automation, you can reduce repetitive work and minimise errors, so you don’t end up wanting to throw your laptop out the window at the end of the day. These are our top suggestions for AI workflow tools.
1. Pipedrive’s AI Sales Assistant
Most popular with B2B sales teams, Pipedrive’s AI Sales Assistant is designed to manage client relationships. It analyses your communication patterns and suggests timely follow-ups, helping you stay one step ahead in managing prospects and clients.
For consultants, this means less time digging through emails or spreadsheets and more time building stronger, more effective client connections. However, its pricing tier system makes it less attainable for independent consultants.
Other AI tools for workflow management
Whether you’re an independent consultant or part of a team, you’ve probably used one of these management tools. For example, the free version of Monday.com is great for managing interim project work.
To stay competitive, many platforms now include AI features that streamline task workflows. Notion AI and ClickUp AI help you plan, take smarter notes, and turn ideas into action quickly. For simpler automation, Trello’s Butler AI handles reminders and updates, while Monday.com AI forecasts timelines and balances workloads.
Together, these tools can save you buckets of time and let you focus on the big-picture tasks that really matter.
Considerations for AI tools
The balance between these tools is to keep open-minded but not to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options on the market.
Before you start investing in an AI tech stack, professionals should consider the following:
Continuous learning: Stay updated with the latest AI developments and tools relevant to your field.
Ethical use: Utilise AI as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement, ensuring that you don’t lose human judgment and creativity.
Customisation: Tailor AI tools to fit specific project needs - you may find that this changes your stack often.
Collaboration: Engage with peers and mentors to share insights and experiences regarding AI tool use.
The AI landscape is shifting dramatically month by month. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to always have it figured out. The key is to stay informed. Adaptability will be key to leveraging these tools in the long run.
