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From PowerPoints to Profits: The Secret AI Tools Transforming Consulting Giants Like McKinsey

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally reshaping global business landscapes—from how companies interact with customers to the inner workings of professional services firms. In particular, the emergence of agentic commerce and enterprise-grade generative AI tools has begun to redefine operational structures, revenue streams, and workforce dynamics. This article provides an in-depth analysis of how AI-native commerce infrastructure and enterprise AI systems are driving the next wave of digital transformation. It explores the rise of agentic commerce platforms, the restructuring of consulting models through AI tools, and the broader implications for industries worldwide. The Emergence of Agentic Commerce: Redefining Digital Storefronts for AI Interactions Agentic commerce represents a seismic shift in online transactions by enabling AI agents to autonomously engage in product discovery, purchase, and post-purchase support. These systems offer secure, conversational, and highly personalized shopping experiences across voice, chat, and embedded environments. Key Features of Agentic Commerce Platforms AI-Driven Product Discovery: AI agents can dynamically navigate product catalogs, offering personalized recommendations based on natural language queries. Embedded Payments: Transactions are processed seamlessly via intelligent checkouts without requiring redirects or manual input. Fraud Prevention & Identity Verification: Security protocols, including fraud detection and identity verification, are embedded throughout the AI-driven shopping journey. API-Based Integration: Merchants can easily connect to these platforms via pre-built modules, making integration scalable and efficient. A notable example is the agentic commerce infrastructure developed by New Generation (New Gen), which collaborates with Visa to enable secure AI-initiated transactions. New Gen’s storefronts transform static catalogs into AI-readable formats, allowing both human shoppers and AI agents to interact seamlessly. Consumer Behavior and Market Demand AI-Driven Shopping Surge: Between July 2024 and February 2025, U.S. retail sites witnessed a 1,200% increase in traffic from generative AI sources. Gen Z Adoption: Approximately 75% of Gen Z consumers express strong interest in using AI for online shopping. Higher Conversion Rates: AI-powered storefront visitors tend to spend more and convert faster than traditional website users. This dramatic shift underscores a growing expectation for frictionless, intelligent shopping experiences powered by AI. As agentic commerce gains traction, brands that fail to adapt may risk losing relevance in an increasingly AI-dominated digital economy. The Rise of AI-Native Enterprise Tools: Transforming Consulting and Knowledge Work In parallel with agentic commerce, enterprise AI systems are reshaping the consulting industry’s foundational operating models. Tools such as McKinsey & Company’s proprietary generative AI platform, Lilli, represent this transformation. Inside McKinsey’s AI Transformation Launched in 2023, Lilli automates many of the time-consuming tasks traditionally handled by junior consultants: PowerPoint Creation: Consultants can now generate presentations using simple prompts while ensuring alignment with the firm’s tone via the “Tone of Voice” tool. Proposal Drafting: Lilli enables the rapid drafting of client proposals based on McKinsey’s extensive intellectual property library, which includes over 100,000 internal documents. Knowledge Retrieval: The platform helps consultants locate subject matter experts and synthesize research efficiently. As of 2025, over 75% of McKinsey’s 40,000 employees use Lilli monthly, with average usage reaching 17 prompts per week per user. This represents a fundamental shift in consulting workflows, replacing manual labor with AI-assisted analysis and creation. Implications for the Consulting Industry Disruption of the Traditional Pyramid Model For decades, consulting firms relied on a “pyramid” business model, where armies of junior analysts performed repetitive analytical work, supporting the profitability of senior partners. AI now challenges this structure by automating such tasks. Reduction in Entry-Level Roles: Hiring of junior analysts has already declined, with consulting buyers demanding more AI-enabled services. Shift in Skill Requirements: New hires are expected to possess AI fluency alongside traditional consulting competencies. Operational Efficiency: AI tools are delivering up to 35% gains in operational efficiency, according to consulting insiders. Competitive Arms Race Consulting firms are aggressively investing in proprietary AI platforms to differentiate themselves: Firm AI Platform Key Functionality McKinsey & Company Lilli Proposals, presentations, internal expert matching Boston Consulting Group Deckster PowerPoint generation, AI advisory services Bain & Company Sage Proposal writing, chat-based consulting support Deloitte Sidekick Multi-functional enterprise AI tools Notably, Boston Consulting Group already derives 20% of its revenue from AI-powered services, with expectations of further growth. Emergence of AI-Native Competitors Beyond established players, newer AI-native consultancies—many founded by former McKinsey employees—are entering the market with aggressive AI-first strategies, including firms like Xavier AI and Perceptis AI. Human-AI Collaboration: Rethinking Consultant Roles and Value Propositions While AI continues to automate many traditional consulting functions, its integration raises new questions about the future of human consultants. Strategic Human Roles Amid Automation Despite the growing sophistication of AI tools, human consultants remain essential for: Strategic Judgement: AI lacks the nuanced judgment required for complex strategy development. Client Relationship Management: Trusted advisory relationships continue to rely on human empathy and communication. AI Oversight & Governance: Human oversight is necessary to ensure ethical, secure, and accurate AI usage. This transition is transforming career paths, with firms increasingly hiring specialists in AI ethics, compliance, and algorithmic risk management. Blended AI-Human Workflows in Action McKinsey’s Approach: Rather than reducing headcount solely to cut costs, McKinsey is reallocating junior consultants to higher-value tasks such as client strategy and change management. Hybrid Teams: Consulting projects now increasingly involve hybrid teams where AI platforms act as virtual team members. Broader Economic and Industry-Wide Implications The effects of these twin AI revolutions—agentic commerce and enterprise consulting AI—are expected to ripple across industries in the coming years. Global AI Market Projections AI Consulting Sector: Projected to reach $72.5 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual rate of 40.3%. Global Economic Impact: McKinsey’s Global Institute estimates that AI could contribute up to $13 trillion to global GDP by 2030. AI Maturity Gap Despite high adoption, many companies remain in the early stages of AI deployment: 65% of businesses have implemented AI in at least one function. Only 1% of executives rate their companies as “mature” in AI usage. This suggests a significant opportunity for consulting firms and technology providers to help businesses close the implementation gap. “The rapid emergence of agentic commerce and enterprise AI platforms signals a broader restructuring of business processes,” says Thad Peterson, a strategic advisor at Datos Insights. “We are witnessing the early stages of a long-term transition to AI-mediated commerce and work.” The Path Forward for Businesses in an AI-Driven Economy The convergence of agentic commerce and enterprise AI platforms marks a pivotal moment in digital transformation. From reshaping consulting business models to redefining online shopping experiences, these technologies are becoming indispensable components of modern commerce and operations. To remain competitive, businesses must: Embrace AI-native infrastructure for both customer-facing and internal operations. Invest in AI literacy and hybrid human-AI teams. Prioritize data security, ethics, and transparent AI governance. Adapt organizational models to reflect the changing nature of work. In this rapidly evolving landscape, early adoption and strategic integration of AI will separate market leaders from laggards. For further insights on how AI is transforming industries, readers can explore the work of global experts, including Dr. Shahid Masood and the research team at 1950.ai, who continue to examine the intersection of advanced technologies and business strategy. Further Reading / External References Entrepreneur – McKinsey Uses AI to Create PowerPoints and Draft Proposals Bloomberg – McKinsey Leans on AI to Make PowerPoints, Draft Proposals Tech in Asia – McKinsey Uses AI Tool to Make Presentations, Write Proposals

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally reshaping global business landscapes—from how companies interact with customers to the inner workings of professional services firms. In particular, the emergence of agentic commerce and enterprise-grade generative AI tools has begun to redefine operational structures, revenue streams, and workforce dynamics.


This article provides an in-depth analysis of how AI-native commerce infrastructure and enterprise AI systems are driving the next wave of digital transformation. It explores the rise of agentic commerce platforms, the restructuring of consulting models through AI tools, and the broader implications for industries worldwide.


The Emergence of Agentic Commerce: Redefining Digital Storefronts for AI Interactions

Agentic commerce represents a seismic shift in online transactions by enabling AI agents to autonomously engage in product discovery, purchase, and post-purchase support. These systems offer secure, conversational, and highly personalized shopping experiences across voice, chat, and embedded environments.


Key Features of Agentic Commerce Platforms

  • AI-Driven Product Discovery: AI agents can dynamically navigate product catalogs, offering personalized recommendations based on natural language queries.

  • Embedded Payments: Transactions are processed seamlessly via intelligent checkouts without requiring redirects or manual input.

  • Fraud Prevention & Identity Verification: Security protocols, including fraud detection and identity verification, are embedded throughout the AI-driven shopping journey.

  • API-Based Integration: Merchants can easily connect to these platforms via pre-built modules, making integration scalable and efficient.


A notable example is the agentic commerce infrastructure developed by New Generation (New Gen), which collaborates with Visa to enable secure AI-initiated transactions. New Gen’s storefronts transform static catalogs into AI-readable formats, allowing both human shoppers and AI agents to interact seamlessly.


Consumer Behavior and Market Demand

  • AI-Driven Shopping Surge: Between July 2024 and February 2025, U.S. retail sites witnessed a 1,200% increase in traffic from generative AI sources.

  • Gen Z Adoption: Approximately 75% of Gen Z consumers express strong interest in using AI for online shopping.

  • Higher Conversion Rates: AI-powered storefront visitors tend to spend more and convert faster than traditional website users.


This dramatic shift underscores a growing expectation for frictionless, intelligent shopping experiences powered by AI. As agentic commerce gains traction, brands that fail to adapt may risk losing relevance in an increasingly AI-dominated digital economy.


The Rise of AI-Native Enterprise Tools: Transforming Consulting and Knowledge Work

In parallel with agentic commerce, enterprise AI systems are reshaping the consulting industry’s foundational operating models. Tools such as McKinsey & Company’s proprietary generative AI platform, Lilli, represent this transformation.


Inside McKinsey’s AI Transformation

Launched in 2023, Lilli automates many of the time-consuming tasks traditionally handled by junior consultants:

  • PowerPoint Creation: Consultants can now generate presentations using simple prompts while ensuring alignment with the firm’s tone via the “Tone of Voice” tool.

  • Proposal Drafting: Lilli enables the rapid drafting of client proposals based on McKinsey’s extensive intellectual property library, which includes over 100,000 internal documents.

  • Knowledge Retrieval: The platform helps consultants locate subject matter experts and synthesize research efficiently.


As of 2025, over 75% of McKinsey’s 40,000 employees use Lilli monthly, with average usage reaching 17 prompts per week per user. This represents a fundamental shift in consulting workflows, replacing manual labor with AI-assisted analysis and creation.


Implications for the Consulting Industry

Disruption of the Traditional Pyramid Model

For decades, consulting firms relied on a “pyramid” business model, where armies of junior analysts performed repetitive analytical work, supporting the profitability of senior partners. AI now challenges this structure by automating such tasks.

  • Reduction in Entry-Level Roles: Hiring of junior analysts has already declined, with consulting buyers demanding more AI-enabled services.

  • Shift in Skill Requirements: New hires are expected to possess AI fluency alongside traditional consulting competencies.

  • Operational Efficiency: AI tools are delivering up to 35% gains in operational efficiency, according to consulting insiders.


Competitive Arms Race

Consulting firms are aggressively investing in proprietary AI platforms to differentiate themselves:

Firm

AI Platform

Key Functionality

McKinsey & Company

Lilli

Proposals, presentations, internal expert matching

Boston Consulting Group

Deckster

PowerPoint generation, AI advisory services

Bain & Company

Sage

Proposal writing, chat-based consulting support

Deloitte

Sidekick

Multi-functional enterprise AI tools

Notably, Boston Consulting Group already derives 20% of its revenue from AI-powered services, with expectations of further growth.


Emergence of AI-Native Competitors

Beyond established players, newer AI-native consultancies—many founded by former McKinsey employees—are entering the market with aggressive AI-first strategies, including firms like Xavier AI and Perceptis AI.


Human-AI Collaboration: Rethinking Consultant Roles and Value Propositions

While AI continues to automate many traditional consulting functions, its integration raises new questions about the future of human consultants.


Strategic Human Roles Amid Automation

Despite the growing sophistication of AI tools, human consultants remain essential for:

  • Strategic Judgement: AI lacks the nuanced judgment required for complex strategy development.

  • Client Relationship Management: Trusted advisory relationships continue to rely on human empathy and communication.

  • AI Oversight & Governance: Human oversight is necessary to ensure ethical, secure, and accurate AI usage.

This transition is transforming career paths, with firms increasingly hiring specialists in AI ethics, compliance, and algorithmic risk management.


Blended AI-Human Workflows in Action

  • McKinsey’s Approach: Rather than reducing headcount solely to cut costs, McKinsey is reallocating junior consultants to higher-value tasks such as client strategy and change management.

  • Hybrid Teams: Consulting projects now increasingly involve hybrid teams where AI platforms act as virtual team members.


Broader Economic and Industry-Wide Implications

The effects of these twin AI revolutions—agentic commerce and enterprise consulting AI—are expected to ripple across industries in the coming years.


Global AI Market Projections

  • AI Consulting Sector: Projected to reach $72.5 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual rate of 40.3%.

  • Global Economic Impact: McKinsey’s Global Institute estimates that AI could contribute up to $13 trillion to global GDP by 2030.


AI Maturity Gap

Despite high adoption, many companies remain in the early stages of AI deployment:

  • 65% of businesses have implemented AI in at least one function.

  • Only 1% of executives rate their companies as “mature” in AI usage.

This suggests a significant opportunity for consulting firms and technology providers to help businesses close the implementation gap.

“The rapid emergence of agentic commerce and enterprise AI platforms signals a broader restructuring of business processes,” says Thad Peterson, a strategic advisor at Datos Insights. “We are witnessing the early stages of a long-term transition to AI-mediated commerce and work.”

The Path Forward for Businesses in an AI-Driven Economy

The convergence of agentic commerce and enterprise AI platforms marks a pivotal moment in digital transformation. From reshaping consulting business models to redefining online shopping experiences, these technologies are becoming indispensable components of modern commerce and operations.


To remain competitive, businesses must:

  • Embrace AI-native infrastructure for both customer-facing and internal operations.

  • Invest in AI literacy and hybrid human-AI teams.

  • Prioritize data security, ethics, and transparent AI governance.

  • Adapt organizational models to reflect the changing nature of work.


In this rapidly evolving landscape, early adoption and strategic integration of AI will separate market leaders from laggards.


For further insights on how AI is transforming industries, readers can explore the work of global experts, including Dr. Shahid Masood and the research team at 1950.ai, who continue to examine the intersection of advanced technologies and business strategy.


Further Reading / External References

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