Is AI Killing the Need for Training and Consulting? Not Quite.
Efficiency Doesn’t Eliminate Complexity
Yes, AI does make many tasks faster. Developers can now write boilerplate code more quickly, analyze large datasets with fewer manual steps, and automate repetitive workflows. Tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT have become coding companions, not replacements (source).
But the thing about automation is—it only works well when it’s correctly set up and managed. This means the need for people who deeply understand systems, architecture, and business goals has actually increased. When things break (and they do), you need people who can troubleshoot with both technical knowledge and business context.
Fewer People = Higher Expectations
While companies may reduce headcount thanks to AI, the expectations for each remaining employee rise. One developer may now be managing what used to take a team of three. But that developer still needs to understand the entire stack, the architectural principles behind the code, and how to make long-term, sustainable decisions.
According to a 2023 McKinsey report, the demand for training in areas like AI governance, software architecture, and cross-functional collaboration is increasing, not decreasing (source).
In other words: generalist pressure is growing, and targeted upskilling is more valuable than ever.
AI Can’t Replace Human Context
AI doesn’t understand the specifics of your legacy system. It doesn’t know the internal politics of your organization. It can’t tailor a development strategy based on your market position or guide a junior developer through a tricky problem in your codebase with empathy and patience.
These are all things that skilled consultants and trainers do exceptionally well. They bring context, experience, and adaptability that AI lacks.
On-Demand, Tailor-Made Support is the New Standard
What we’re seeing now is a shift away from generic training programs toward highly specialized, use-case-driven support. Teams don’t just want to learn “Java” or “Databricks.” They want to understand how those tools apply to their specific infrastructure, business challenges, or legacy systems.
At Nine Brains, most of our clients don’t come with a neatly defined request like “teach us React.” They come with questions like:
“We’re migrating from a legacy system. What’s the best tech stack, and how can we train our team to manage it?”
In those situations, it’s not just about knowledge transfer—it’s about strategic problem-solving.
So, Is the Need for Training and Consulting Decreasing?
Not at all. It’s just becoming more specialized, strategic, and human-centered.
The companies that win won’t be the ones who eliminate training—they’ll be the ones who get the right people the right knowledge at the right time. And that’s something no AI has cracked yet.