Problem solving with human creativity coupled with machine efficiency is the key: Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh
Hosted by Centre for Software & IT Management, session on ‘Future of Consulting in the Age of AI’ explores what it takes for businesses and professionals to thrive by becoming AI-augmented problem solvers and strategic leaders
2 December, 2025, Bengaluru: “The new generation of systems getting developed is more autonomous – it can sense the environment, can decide based on data, can act based on agentic architecture, and learn from every transaction. That is the future of systems, which can be termed the Intelligent Age – that will touch every individual, business and industry, and will have a huge impact on Consulting as well”, observed Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Accenture, during a research seminar on, ‘Future of Consulting in the Age of AI’, hosted by the Centre for Software and Information Technology Management (CSITM), earlier today. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session.
CSTIM conducted the seminar as part of its initiative to promote dissemination and application of knowledge for the benefit of academics and professionals from all walks of industry. The seminar was held in hybrid mode. Students, faculty, Academic Associates and Research Associates from all programmes of IIM Bangalore participated.
The talk explored how AI is reshaping the global economy exponentially and transforming the Consulting industry – its rapid rise, widespread adoption and the significant opportunities it presents for productivity and innovation. Dr. Ghosh also delved into the critical need to navigate potential challenges, emphasizing that true value creation – not just adoption – is essential for sustainable success in this new era.
Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh quoted from his co-authored book, ‘Automation Advantage’, a guide for technology and business leaders on scaling intelligent enterprise automation and integrating AI into organizational processes, and said that the book is based on a simple principle. “That principle is, if we automate the right things within the enterprise, then we liberate the human potential. In the book, we painted a picture of the future of technology, how AI will influence the enterprise and we called that the Intelligent Age. And now, the future is here, we do not ask systems anymore merely to follow instructions, we expect systems to understand our intent and execute with AI/Agentic AI, and so on.”
Explaining the evolution of AI, he said, “From 2022, when AI felt like a clever assistant, to writing, coding and summarizing in 2023, to Agents in 2024 – in 2025, it is about transitioning from experiments to execution.”
He also shed light on some stumbling blocks. “Today, 71% of enterprises use GenAI regularly in their business operations. However, as many experts say, AI could be a financial bubble, current AI ventures are not generating enough profit to justify their lofty valuation. Actually, every time a new technology comes, like the PC, Internet, Cloud, digital crypto wave, we have seen that the initial euphoria has to go through a process of correction and consolidation to reach maturity.”
Highlighting that technology is very real, he added, “The key point now, is value creation.”
Addressing the issue of existential crisis of Consultants in the age of AI, he said that the primary goal should be to create value, and for that, Consultancy must redefine itself. “AI is real; AI needs to create value; Consulting must redefine itself.”
About the role of Consulting in the age of AI, he said, “Move away from the conventional way. We have seen over the years that each new technology wave creates new value. Lean/Six Sigma, Global Sourcing, Digital - these improved process quality, triggered innovation, boosted agility, speed and scale. For AI, the value proposition is intelligence, not automation. AI can do much more than automation. We need to integrate that intelligence with human intelligence to increase our efficiency.”
“New Consulting is about being at the intersection of technology, business and Data/AI. The focus should be from advice to outcome – on growth, efficiency, experience, speed and innovation.”
Listing what is changing today in the world of Consulting as scope (including delivering the real business outcome, shorter cycle and higher volumes and architecting intelligence), skillset (deep understanding of business, industry, function and process, user perspective on AI), and ways of working (expert interpretation and validation), he added that we need a transition from human-driven analysis to problem solving with human creativity, plus machine efficiency and differentiated IP. Rapid experimentation and value realization will be the other key elements, he said.
Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh summed up his insightful talk on an optimistic note by stating that there are unbound opportunities for New Consulting with AI, to create value in industry, business and government. “By integrating human creativity with machine efficiency, with valuable contribution and support from start-ups, enterprises and the Government in equipping people with AI, leading as value architects with ethical AI, and governing for trust, resilience and responsible growth, there are expanded opportunities for New Consulting. By embracing AI augmented skills and new ways of working, we can all thrive in the age of AI.”
While addressing a query during an interaction with the audience following his talk, Dr. Ghosh pointed out that the core area of focus for New Consulting should be to create real value for businesses. “New technology has to create tangible customer and business value”, he explained. He also stressed on the need for guidelines to be in place as well as be implemented, along with training, data governance and explainability rules for AI implementation. “Systems need to have guardrails”, he added. Allaying fears that new technology will come at the cost of Consultancy as a profession, he said, “Complexity is our friend – with more advanced technology, there will be more complex processes, which will call for more Consultants. Moreover, there will be more money on the table, the ones who stay relevant for that money will flourish.”
Venkatesh Balakrishnan, Manager, CSITM, delivered the welcome address, anchored the entire session and delivered the vote of thanks. Dr. HR Rao, Professor at the University of Texas, who was Eminent Visiting Research Scholar at IIM Bangalore, introduced the speaker and gave an overview of the session. Also present were Prof. Rahul Dé, former IIMB faculty of the Information Systems area (who felicitated the speaker after his talk) and Prof. Mayank Kumar, Chairperson, Centre for Software & Information Technology Management and faculty of the Information Systems area.
About the speaker: Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh is the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Accenture and a Member of the company’s Global Management Committee. In this role, he oversees Accenture's overall strategy and investment initiatives, including ventures, acquisitions and the development of assets and offerings across the company's diverse services. He also leads the overall AI strategy for Accenture and Innovation, leveraging advanced capabilities and cutting-edge research to help clients across industries to reinvent the future of business. He also manages Accenture LearnVantage, a proprietary learning platform designed to identify and close skill gaps within enterprises, providing industry-specific training at speed and scale.
Previously, he served as Group Chief Executive of Accenture Technology Services, which under his guidance, achieved significant advancements, particularly in new technologies, automation and intelligent platforms. In addition to his role at Accenture, Bhaskar serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Directors for HDFC Life.
Dr. Ghosh is a recognized innovator, awarded six patents in software engineering and platform development. In 2023, he received the Leadership Excellence Award from the Association of Information Systems, a premier global professional association for individuals and organizations who lead the research, teaching, practice and study of Information Systems worldwide.
Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration from Calcutta University, and a PhD in Business Management from Utkal University.
Please click here for photo gallery
Problem solving with human creativity coupled with machine efficiency is the key: Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh
Hosted by Centre for Software & IT Management, session on ‘Future of Consulting in the Age of AI’ explores what it takes for businesses and professionals to thrive by becoming AI-augmented problem solvers and strategic leaders
2 December, 2025, Bengaluru: “The new generation of systems getting developed is more autonomous – it can sense the environment, can decide based on data, can act based on agentic architecture, and learn from every transaction. That is the future of systems, which can be termed the Intelligent Age – that will touch every individual, business and industry, and will have a huge impact on Consulting as well”, observed Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Accenture, during a research seminar on, ‘Future of Consulting in the Age of AI’, hosted by the Centre for Software and Information Technology Management (CSITM), earlier today. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session.
CSTIM conducted the seminar as part of its initiative to promote dissemination and application of knowledge for the benefit of academics and professionals from all walks of industry. The seminar was held in hybrid mode. Students, faculty, Academic Associates and Research Associates from all programmes of IIM Bangalore participated.
The talk explored how AI is reshaping the global economy exponentially and transforming the Consulting industry – its rapid rise, widespread adoption and the significant opportunities it presents for productivity and innovation. Dr. Ghosh also delved into the critical need to navigate potential challenges, emphasizing that true value creation – not just adoption – is essential for sustainable success in this new era.
Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh quoted from his co-authored book, ‘Automation Advantage’, a guide for technology and business leaders on scaling intelligent enterprise automation and integrating AI into organizational processes, and said that the book is based on a simple principle. “That principle is, if we automate the right things within the enterprise, then we liberate the human potential. In the book, we painted a picture of the future of technology, how AI will influence the enterprise and we called that the Intelligent Age. And now, the future is here, we do not ask systems anymore merely to follow instructions, we expect systems to understand our intent and execute with AI/Agentic AI, and so on.”
Explaining the evolution of AI, he said, “From 2022, when AI felt like a clever assistant, to writing, coding and summarizing in 2023, to Agents in 2024 – in 2025, it is about transitioning from experiments to execution.”
He also shed light on some stumbling blocks. “Today, 71% of enterprises use GenAI regularly in their business operations. However, as many experts say, AI could be a financial bubble, current AI ventures are not generating enough profit to justify their lofty valuation. Actually, every time a new technology comes, like the PC, Internet, Cloud, digital crypto wave, we have seen that the initial euphoria has to go through a process of correction and consolidation to reach maturity.”
Highlighting that technology is very real, he added, “The key point now, is value creation.”
Addressing the issue of existential crisis of Consultants in the age of AI, he said that the primary goal should be to create value, and for that, Consultancy must redefine itself. “AI is real; AI needs to create value; Consulting must redefine itself.”
About the role of Consulting in the age of AI, he said, “Move away from the conventional way. We have seen over the years that each new technology wave creates new value. Lean/Six Sigma, Global Sourcing, Digital - these improved process quality, triggered innovation, boosted agility, speed and scale. For AI, the value proposition is intelligence, not automation. AI can do much more than automation. We need to integrate that intelligence with human intelligence to increase our efficiency.”
“New Consulting is about being at the intersection of technology, business and Data/AI. The focus should be from advice to outcome – on growth, efficiency, experience, speed and innovation.”
Listing what is changing today in the world of Consulting as scope (including delivering the real business outcome, shorter cycle and higher volumes and architecting intelligence), skillset (deep understanding of business, industry, function and process, user perspective on AI), and ways of working (expert interpretation and validation), he added that we need a transition from human-driven analysis to problem solving with human creativity, plus machine efficiency and differentiated IP. Rapid experimentation and value realization will be the other key elements, he said.
Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh summed up his insightful talk on an optimistic note by stating that there are unbound opportunities for New Consulting with AI, to create value in industry, business and government. “By integrating human creativity with machine efficiency, with valuable contribution and support from start-ups, enterprises and the Government in equipping people with AI, leading as value architects with ethical AI, and governing for trust, resilience and responsible growth, there are expanded opportunities for New Consulting. By embracing AI augmented skills and new ways of working, we can all thrive in the age of AI.”
While addressing a query during an interaction with the audience following his talk, Dr. Ghosh pointed out that the core area of focus for New Consulting should be to create real value for businesses. “New technology has to create tangible customer and business value”, he explained. He also stressed on the need for guidelines to be in place as well as be implemented, along with training, data governance and explainability rules for AI implementation. “Systems need to have guardrails”, he added. Allaying fears that new technology will come at the cost of Consultancy as a profession, he said, “Complexity is our friend – with more advanced technology, there will be more complex processes, which will call for more Consultants. Moreover, there will be more money on the table, the ones who stay relevant for that money will flourish.”
Venkatesh Balakrishnan, Manager, CSITM, delivered the welcome address, anchored the entire session and delivered the vote of thanks. Dr. HR Rao, Professor at the University of Texas, who was Eminent Visiting Research Scholar at IIM Bangalore, introduced the speaker and gave an overview of the session. Also present were Prof. Rahul Dé, former IIMB faculty of the Information Systems area (who felicitated the speaker after his talk) and Prof. Mayank Kumar, Chairperson, Centre for Software & Information Technology Management and faculty of the Information Systems area.
About the speaker: Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh is the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Accenture and a Member of the company’s Global Management Committee. In this role, he oversees Accenture's overall strategy and investment initiatives, including ventures, acquisitions and the development of assets and offerings across the company's diverse services. He also leads the overall AI strategy for Accenture and Innovation, leveraging advanced capabilities and cutting-edge research to help clients across industries to reinvent the future of business. He also manages Accenture LearnVantage, a proprietary learning platform designed to identify and close skill gaps within enterprises, providing industry-specific training at speed and scale.
Previously, he served as Group Chief Executive of Accenture Technology Services, which under his guidance, achieved significant advancements, particularly in new technologies, automation and intelligent platforms. In addition to his role at Accenture, Bhaskar serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Directors for HDFC Life.
Dr. Ghosh is a recognized innovator, awarded six patents in software engineering and platform development. In 2023, he received the Leadership Excellence Award from the Association of Information Systems, a premier global professional association for individuals and organizations who lead the research, teaching, practice and study of Information Systems worldwide.
Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration from Calcutta University, and a PhD in Business Management from Utkal University.
Please click here for photo gallery