For generations, professional services firms have defined themselves by access to specialist knowledge. That advantage is now eroding as AI makes expertise widely available to clients directly. Large language models can surface answers instantly, and agentic AI systems can even take on entire workflows.
This shift challenges firms to rethink what expertise means and how talent is developed. Knowledge alone is no longer enough. The differentiator is judgment, context, and trust — qualities that AI cannot replicate but can help cultivate.
Instead of eliminating junior roles, AI has the potential to become their greatest accelerator. By taking on repetitive tasks, AI frees early-career professionals to focus on higher-value work sooner. It can also act as a coach, giving juniors guided access to the knowledge of senior colleagues and embedding best practice into everyday workflows. For seniors, this means scaling their impact and ensuring that expertise is shared across the firm rather than locked in individuals’ heads.
The real opportunity is for firms to redesign roles so that professionals and AI support one another. Juniors develop faster, seniors extend their reach, and clients receive clearer, faster, and more proactive service. Trust remains central, with professionals maintaining oversight and ensuring transparency in how AI is applied.
Firms that treat AI only as a cost-cutting tool risk hollowing out their talent pipeline. Those that embrace it as an enabler will stay competitive and relevant in the post-knowledge economy, where the value of experts lies not just in what they know but in how they help clients act on knowledge with confidence.
These insights were shared by Joris Van Der Gucht, co-founder and CEO of Ravical, in his recent piece for Business Reporter. Read the full article here.