How can you establish credibility as an AI consultant?

In my experience, to become credible as an AI consultant, you have to create a real and working AI pilot project for yourself or your organization. As a technology consulting company, we started developing several internal POCs for different areas of our organization. We started with a compliance tool to check the compliance of our customers related to specific standards (for example, security standards such as ISO 27001), a tool we use internally to increase efficiency in the GRC projects for our customers. We have also developed a tool for our HR department to help them become more efficient and quick in identifying the right candidate for the specific job post. Now, we can show our customers the AI solution developed for ourselves!

When creating your portfolio, consider using a storytelling approach. Each project can be a story highlighting the problem, your solution, and the impact. This narrative method can make your portfolio more relatable and engaging. In my experience, including a "lessons learned" section in each case study greatly enhances credibility. It shows that you're not just skilled but also reflective and adaptive, qualities highly valued in the AI field.

Focus on the business problem/need first, before thinking about models. Models can perish. Showcase your approach to the data strategy. When you propose the solution, make sure your framework is also addressing security, API connectivity, ability to function in production etc.

AI's rate of innovation is simply moving too fast to try to be great at every aspect of this particular technology. Pick a lane and build an ecosystem of partners around it. For example, I have decided to focus on Human-centric strategies for Generative AI, and we work with Institutions of Higher Education to help bring related skill-building programs to entire economic regions and their stakeholders. Building the ecosystem requires a fair amount of up-front investment in developing your approach. Whether solving for particular business challenges or helping people broadly understand how to create value by leveraging AI, it is essential to consider both opportunities and risks – for individuals, organizations, and regional economies.

🌟 To thrive as an AI consultant, it's crucial to demonstrate deep expertise and earn trust. I'd emphasize building a robust portfolio showcasing impactful AI projects. Networking within the AI community is critical to expanding your influence. Continuous learning is non-negotiable in the fast-evolving AI landscape. Uphold the highest ethical standards in your practice, as trust is the currency of consultancy. Communicate complex AI concepts in layperson's terms to bridge the gap between technology and business needs. As Kai-Fu Lee, a notable AI thought leader, says, "AI is the new electricity." Illuminating its potential to clients is your mission. 🤖🚀

In addition to communication, collaboration, and people skills; learning and updating AI skills are by far the most important aspect of a credible, impactful AI consultant. Staying up to date with the latest technology - both from a technical and business perspective - also serves as a differentiator in the market, as AI know-how is typically quite scarce, and in reality, limited to data analytics or not as recent applications of AI.

Dive deep into the topics and keep learning. Experiment by yourself, you will gain more confidence and trust. Share what you have learned and inspire others to learn as well.

This is the most critical effort for AI consultants who are not consulting directly on model development. If you content is based more on implementation, strategy, and risk management, these are all subjects that you need to be incredibly informed on. LinkedIn Learning has some great courses as well as Coursera, Google, and Amazon.

1/ Adopt a structured approach to continuous learning. Set specific goals for skill development, and choose learning resources that align with these goals. 2/ I regularly allocate time for "learning projects" – small, hands-on projects where I apply new skills or tools. This approach helps solidify learning and generates new work samples for my portfolio. 3/ Share your learning journey; for instance, how a new AI trend or tool changed your approach to a project. This not only shows your commitment to staying updated but also your adaptability and eagerness to apply new knowledge practically.

Absolutely crucial! The dynamic nature of AI demands a continuous quest for learning and adaptation. Staying relevant as an AI consultant means staying abreast of the latest trends, innovations, and breakthroughs in the field. Online courses, reading materials, and professional associations offer invaluable resources. Embracing new tools and techniques amplifies AI capabilities. Remember, constant evolution fuels expertise and ensures delivering cutting-edge AI solutions.

In my world, transparency plays a big role in how I approach consulting in AI. That being said, the ethical and professional standards I adhere to and help clients implement, come from NIST. "The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a US government laboratory that develops, tests, and recommends best practices for federal agencies and other organizations." In consulting, having the "answer" is where the money is at, though, I believe AI is too important and too powerful to gate-keep where the answers come from. Becoming a NIST SME is extremely valuable and a huge benefit I bring to the table in any environment. Finding and evolving leading best practices in AI such as those set forth by NIST greatly increase credibility.

Adhering to ethical and professional standards is paramount in AI consulting. This includes respecting client confidentiality, being transparent about the capabilities and limitations of AI solutions, and considering the ethical implications of AI projects. Upholding high standards in your work and interactions will build trust and demonstrate your commitment to responsible AI practices.

Develop a personal code of ethics based on industry standards. Regularly reflect on and update this code as the field evolves. Share real-world scenarios where ethical considerations shaped your AI solutions. For instance, how you addressed bias in data or ensured transparency in AI decision-making in a project. Such stories underline your ethical stance and professional integrity.

To build credibility as an AI consultant, adhere to ethical principles like transparency, fairness, accountability, privacy, and human oversight. Follow professional standards by obtaining certifications, staying updated, collaborating with experts, joining organizations, and publishing research. Foster trust through clear communication, honesty, addressing client needs and values, data transparency, and open feedback.

Demonstrating adherence to ethical and professional standards in AI consulting can be effectively achieved by creating and publicly sharing a comprehensive document outlining these commitments. This document should detail your approach to fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy, and security in AI solutions. By featuring it prominently on your website and including it in sales materials, you reinforce your dedication to these principles. This transparency not only builds trust but also boosts customer confidence in your approach, showcasing your commitment to ethical practices in the evolving field of AI, and distinguishing you in the eyes of potential clients and partners.

Effective communication is vital for an AI consultant, acting as a bridge between technical expertise and those less familiar with AI. Your role involves translating complex AI concepts into understandable language for clients. So avoid jargon and technical terms; instead, use clear, concise explanations that convey the value and functionality of AI solutions. It's about striking a balance – being technically accurate yet accessible. Tailor your communication to your audience's level of understanding, focusing on how AI can address their specific needs and challenges.

Effective communication is key in AI consulting. This involves being able to clearly explain complex AI concepts to non-technical stakeholders, listening to and understanding client needs, and articulating how AI solutions can address these needs. Clear, concise, and jargon-free communication helps in establishing rapport with clients and makes complex AI projects more accessible and understandable.

To test the effectiveness of your communication as an AI consultant, especially with non-technical audiences, consider practicing with friends or relatives who can provide honest feedback. This approach helps gauge how well your explanations resonate with laypersons. Be mindful of balancing your communication, ensuring it's neither overwhelming nor overly simplistic. Crucially, openly discuss the risks associated with AI upfront. This transparency prevents misunderstandings and over-speculation from your audience. It demonstrates your credibility and honesty, helping build trust while ensuring your clients have a realistic understanding of both the potentials and limitations of AI solutions.

Practice translating complex AI concepts into simpler terms. Work on analogies and examples that can make AI understandable to non-experts. During presentations or meetings, I often use visual aids or interactive tools to demystify AI concepts. This has proved effective in bridging communication gaps. For example, instead of just discussing the technical superiority of a solution, focus on how it improves efficiency, reduces costs, or drive innovation.

In addition to effective and clear communication, it is crucial for AI consultants to actively listen to their clients & stakeholders. By actively listening, you can gain a deeper understanding of their concerns, priorities, & goals, allowing you to tailor your communication and AI solutions accordingly. Moreover, fostering open & transparent communication channels can help build trust & rapport with your clients, enabling them to feel comfortable asking questions or providing feedback throughout the AI consulting process. By maintaining a collaborative and client-centric approach, you can ensure that your communication is not only effective & clear but also responsive to the unique needs and circumstances of your clients and stakeholders.

In my experience trust and reputation is built through transparency of outcomes. It is critical to be transparent at all times and provide solutions to problems as a consultant.

To excel as an AI consultant, you need two key ingredients: deep market expertise and a thorough understanding of AI and LLM technologies. Knowing your market is the foundation—it allows you to identify unique challenges and opportunities. Coupled with this, a solid grasp of AI and LLM models enables you to not just understand the capabilities of these technologies, but also to creatively apply them in ways that transform and augment traditional processes.

Communicate complex AI concepts clearly & concisely to both technical & non-technical audiences. Collaborate effectively with stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes. Advocate for responsible & ethical development & deployment of AI. Build trust by ensuring your solutions are fair, transparent, unbiased, and accountable. Align your AI solutions with specific business objectives & demonstrate measurable return on investment. Translate technical jargon into tangible business benefits for stakeholders. Share positive client testimonials & success stories to demonstrate the value you deliver. This builds trust & attracts potential clients.

Take the AI element out first, and you need to be a great consultant. This means you need to understand your client and their business challenges. Digital transformation was great at taking high volume / low complex tasks online. AI has now unlocked ways to address the complex tasks as well. AI is an enabler and should be used where applicable. This takes knowledge of AI and its vast capabilities combined with your analysis of where your client's business requires AI to meet their objectives, for you as a consultant to deliver value.

In addition to the above strategies, consider contributing to the AI community through knowledge sharing. This could be in the form of writing articles, giving talks, or conducting workshops. Such contributions not only showcase your expertise but also help in giving back to the community. Another aspect is to build a strong online presence, through a professional website or social media, where you can share insights, project updates, and thought leadership in AI. Finally, personalize your approach based on the unique needs and contexts of your clients, demonstrating your ability to provide tailored, client-centric solutions.