5 AI Tools I Wish I Had When I Started Out in Consulting

After nearly 15 years in consulting, one of the biggest shifts I’ve seen is the quiet but powerful role of tech, particularly in AI which is why a lot of TheConsultingGuide will be focused around up to date information on AI tools that can be useful for current and future consultants in reshaping how they work. Whether you’re just about to start out or your currently juggling five projects, the right tools won’t just save you time, they’ll improve your reasoning, lighten your admin load, and keep you focused on the work that actually matters.

Back when I was prepping for interviews and finishing slides until 4am, these tools didn’t exist. Now? You’d be at a big disadvantage not to use them.

Here are five AI tools that I wish were around earlier in my career.

1. ChatGPT (Pro) – No need of an explanation on what this is

I was skeptical at first, most consultants were but I am confident that 99% are now using some form of Large Language Model nearly everyday. But ChatGPT (especially with GPT-4o) has quickly become one of the most powerful tools in the consultant’s modern toolkit. It’s more than just a chatbot, it functions like a well-read junior analyst, one who can simulate client conversations, help draft proposals, break down frameworks, and summarize complex research at speed. It just saves your time on redundant busy work tasks and frankly it actually does better work than the junior consultants I have worked with.

The trick, though, is learning how to use it well. Prompting isn’t just about asking questions. It’s about giving clear, structured guidance, like you would with a new associate. Say, “Act as a McKinsey partner and give me feedback on my resume,” or “Create a pricing case study for a ride hailing startup and include charts and a framework.” The more context and intent you give it, the more value you’ll get back. In many ways, prompting is becoming its own consulting skill.

For anyone serious about using ChatGPT effectively, I’d recommend spending 30 minutes on LearnPrompting.org. It’s a straightforward, well written resource that explains how to prompt/give insturctions more efficiently, chain prompts, and format outputs, this small difference can dramatically improve the quality of response you get from ChatGPT and other LLMs.

Why it’s useful:

• Rapid idea generation for slides, storylines, or problem trees

• Can simulate case interview partners or client personas

• Accelerates first drafts for emails, CV bullet points, and cover letters

• Becomes far more powerful when used with structured prompting

• GPT-4 Pro plans unlock browsing, plug-ins, and more advanced capabilities

  
  

In short, it’s not just a chatbot, it’s a force multiplier, especially when treated like part of your extended team.

2. Perplexity – Research that you can actually use

Let’s be honest, most of us have spent too many late nights Googling obscure market data or digging through outdated PDFs for a single stat. That’s where Perplexity comes in. It’s like ChatGPT with a research brain: fast, precise, and backed by real-time citations.

Where ChatGPT helps you make sense of inputs, Perplexity helps you track down credible, sourced information and it does it fast. It’s built for consultants who need to understand unfamiliar industries, compare competitors, or find sharp data points for decks. You ask a question, and it returns a clean answer with linked references you can cite with confidence.

If you’ve ever had to prep for a client call in 20 minutes or fake fluency in a niche sector mid-meeting, this is your new go-to. Also for last minute meeting prep that you forgot to do, you can go in prepared as if you had done hours of research on the subject without the risk of falsifying data

How consultants use it:

• Research niche industries without reading 20 browser tabs

• Pull properly cited stats directly into slides or proposals

• Use it as a smarter, faster replacement for Google when time is short

• Test assumptions and validate insights without fluff

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Prompting here is simpler than ChatGPT, but clarity still matters. A well phrased question like “Top players in the North African FMCG market, with 2024 data” will give you a sharper response than something vague. The better the prompt, the better the sourcing.

It won’t replace your thinking, but it helps you back it up.

3. Gamma.app – Turn Ideas into Polished Decks

PowerPoint fatigue is real. Gamma changes the game by generating modern, well-designed decks from simple text prompts. It’s fast, surprisingly polished, and perfect when you’ve got the thinking done but don’t want to spend hours aligning boxes.

Where it shines is turning raw ideas, prep notes, case write-ups, outlines, into presentable decks you can tweak, export, and send.

How consultants use it:

• Turn case prep summaries into structured slide decks

• Build client-ready presentations with minimal effort

• Draft proposals and stakeholder updates in less than half the time

  
  

It won’t fully replace design polish on high-stakes decks, but it dramatically reduces friction early in the process. A clear prompt like “Create a slide deck on digital transformation trends in retail banking” gets you a head start. The AI handles structure and styling, you bring the insight.

If you’ve ever thought “I know what I want to say, I just don’t want to build the deck,” Gamma is your new shortcut.

4. SlidesAI – PowerPoint, Just Smarter

For those staying loyal to PowerPoint, SlidesAI is a lightweight plug-in that makes your workflow a little less manual. Paste in your notes or bullet points, and it generates structured slides with draft content suggestions.

Think of it as an AI junior analyst that helps with the first pass, especially useful when your calendar’s packed.

How consultants use it:

• Generate slide outlines from meeting notes or strategy docs

• Draft content for internal or client-facing presentations

• Speed up slide-heavy projects when deadlines are tight

This is less about flashy design, more about getting unstuck. Pair it with good prompting, like pasting clean, structured bullets, and you’ll save serious time.

SlidesAI won’t write the full story, but it gets you to v1 faster than blank-slide staring ever will.

5. Fireflies.ai – Meeting Transcripts That Actually Work

If you’ve ever left a call thinking, “What did they say again?”, Fireflies is for you. It automatically records, transcribes, and summarizes Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams calls. What you get is a searchable transcript, key points, and action items, all without lifting a finger during the call.

How consultants use it:

• Review client calls, stakeholder interviews, or feedback sessions

• Pull direct quotes and insights into reports or decks

• Extract action items from long discussions or internal reviews

  
  

Whether you’re prepping for interviews or juggling multiple engagements, Fireflies helps you stay present without scrambling to take notes.

You can improve results with simple prompt like requests post call, such as “Summarize action items and risks discussed,” or “Highlight key takeaways for the marketing team.” Clean input = clear output.

Final Thoughts – You must use AI for your own sanity

The best consultants don’t just work hard, they work smart. These tools won’t replace your judgment, but they will help you focus it where it matters. If your peers are using AI, their work will be delivered faster, more accurate and of higher quality. I am not talking about completely relying on AI to do the work, but utilizing the tools to improve and be more efficient.

The secret? Don’t try to use everything. Pick two tools that complement your current workflow. Master them. Then expand.

When your prep is faster, your ideas are clearer, your research is better and your decks are more polished & aesthetic, that’s when AI is doing its job.