Accenture sells AI transformation to thousands of clients while quietly telling its own employees they get a fraction of what some were already spending. The internal memo reveals a tension at the heart of every major consulting firm racing to profit from AI.
Generally in the consulting business you’d just have your employees bill more hours than actually worked if they’re being more productive than average. Obviously without telling your clients.
For government contracts it’s not unusual that the agreed upon hours estimate is what is billed regardless of whether you actually spend more or less time.