IBM Consulting Leads AI Transformation in the Middle East & Africa with Strategic Innovation

IBM Consulting is leading the charge in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the consulting sector, a transformation that promises to revolutionize business operations and decision-making processes. At the core of this transformation is IBM Consulting Advantage, an AI-powered delivery platform that leverages the advanced capabilities of Granite 3.0 large language models. This integration is fundamentally reshaping how IBM’s consultants engage with clients, optimize operations, and create innovative solutions.

Bill Farrell, Managing Partner for IBM Consulting in the Middle East & Africa, underscores the significant role that AI plays in the company’s consulting operations. IBM Consulting Advantage has been enhanced by the inclusion of Granite 3.0, which serves as the default model within the platform, providing even more speed, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in IBM’s service delivery. With the increasing demand for AI-enhanced services—86% of consulting buyers are actively seeking AI-driven solutions—IBM Consulting is meeting and exceeding these expectations by incorporating AI agents into its work.

The power of AI in IBM Consulting Advantage lies in its ability to automate routine tasks, such as data analysis, allowing consultants to focus their efforts on higher-value work that requires creativity, critical thinking, and human expertise. AI agents are particularly effective at automating processes such as data retrieval, sentiment analysis, and logistics, which allows consultants to deliver faster and more efficient outcomes for clients. The integration of AI into the collaborative IBM Garage framework further enhances this capability, enabling teams to co-create with clients and rapidly test hypotheses, validate strategies, and optimize processes. This dynamic approach ensures that solutions are highly tailored to the specific needs of each client, leading to faster, more impactful results.

A prime example of how IBM is utilizing AI to drive operational efficiency and enhance customer experiences is the company’s collaboration with Riyadh Air. In this partnership, IBM Consulting implemented AI-driven systems to improve the airline’s check-in processes and in-flight entertainment services. By embedding advanced AI technologies into their operations, IBM helped Riyadh Air streamline processes, enhance customer satisfaction, and increase operational efficiency. This project serves as a demonstration of how AI can be harnessed to drive both technological innovation and business growth.

IBM Consulting’s position as a global consultancy embedded within a technology company offers a significant competitive advantage, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. The company’s unique ability to leverage deep technical expertise, industry knowledge, and a strong legacy of trust, security, and governance enables IBM to develop and deploy AI solutions at scale. The introduction of Granite 3.0 models into IBM Consulting Advantage is a prime example of how the company quickly brings innovations to market, which provides a clear edge over its competitors. With 89% of consulting buyers now demanding AI-integrated services to improve quality and productivity, IBM Consulting not only meets these expectations but exceeds them, delivering cutting-edge, AI-enhanced insights to drive meaningful change for clients.

The impact of AI on consulting outcomes is already evident in several high-profile collaborations, such as the partnership with Riyadh Air. IBM Consulting played a central role in helping the airline establish a digitally-native, AI-powered ecosystem that enhanced the overall guest experience. By leveraging IBM Consulting Advantage, powered by IBM watsonx, the company drove AI-powered improvements in customer engagement across digital channels, including check-in processes and in-flight entertainment. This collaboration also included the integration of core infrastructure and hybrid cloud solutions, which helped Riyadh Air scale efficiently and meet its ambitious growth targets in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Looking to the future, IBM Consulting is poised to further elevate the role of AI in its work. With continued advancements in AI models like Granite 3.0, the company plans to deepen its impact in several key areas. AI’s ability to automate customer service inquiries and optimize operational workflows will continue to provide clients with enhanced productivity and more innovative solutions. IBM is also expanding its domain-specific offerings, such as IBM Consulting Advantage for Cloud Transformation and Business Operations, which focus on accelerating cloud migration and streamlining business functions like finance, human resources, and procurement. For instance, IBM’s consultants have already helped a global client reduce finance cycle times by up to 60%, demonstrating how AI can drive efficiency and accelerate time-to-market for new products and services.

In addition to its work in cloud transformation, IBM Consulting is exploring how AI can make a profound impact in sectors such as healthcare, financial services, and supply chain management. AI’s ability to analyze vast datasets and deliver actionable insights will be critical in helping clients navigate the complex challenges they face in these industries. For example, in healthcare, AI will enable advanced predictive analytics to improve patient outcomes, while in financial services, AI can drive more personalized customer experiences and optimize operational agility. In supply chain management, AI will enhance the ability to predict demand, optimize inventory, and streamline logistics.

IBM Consulting’s commitment to AI innovation is reflected in its ongoing efforts to refine its AI-powered platforms and integrate them into client projects. The company is constantly working to expand its AI capabilities and ensure that its solutions continue to meet the ever-evolving needs of its clients. As consulting spend is expected to exceed 4% of total revenue by 2026, IBM Consulting is strategically positioned to maintain its leadership in the industry by delivering measurable ROI and helping clients maximize the value of their digital transformation efforts.

Through its advanced AI solutions, IBM Consulting is setting new benchmarks for operational efficiency, innovation, and customer-centricity. The ability to rapidly adapt to client needs, automate routine tasks, and provide deep, actionable insights is driving transformative outcomes for businesses across industries. By integrating AI into every aspect of its consulting services, IBM Consulting is not just transforming the consulting sector but also shaping the future of business operations in the digital age.