Logo for 24 Seven
« Back to all Insights

How to Hire an AI Consultant

How to Hire an AI Consultant
December 8, 2025

AI is drastically reshaping how creative and marketing teams operate, and the pressure to implement new technologies effectively is only increasing. Many organizations and departments feel the urgency but knowing where to start is often the biggest challenge.

AI implementation isn’t about chasing new tools or following trends. It’s about reshaping workflows, upskilling teams, and building reliable systems that elevate how work gets done. For creative, marketing, and tech leaders, this often means finding ways to scale output, personalize experiences, and stay competitive without burning out their teams. Because most organizations don’t have that expertise in-house, hiring an AI consultant is a smart and practical next step.

The right AI consultant can translate AI’s potential into solutions that match your business goals. Below, we break down what that looks like and how to find the partner who can make it happen.

What Does an AI Consultant Do?

AI consultants are typically hired to solve operational challenges and redesign how work gets done. They can audit current processes, identify what slows teams down, and rebuild systems so people can spend more time on high-value work.

Typical AI consultant responsibilities include:

  • Mapping workflows and identifying high-impact AI opportunities
  • Building content systems that scale output without adding headcount
  • Managing AI agents   
  • Training teams to verify AI outputs and maintain quality
  • Integrating AI into CRMs, project management tools, and other existing systems

Effective AI consultants act as both strategists and hands-on problem solvers. Their focus is on measurable outcomes, including faster execution, better accuracy, and greater ROI.

Why Companies are Hiring AI Consultants Right Now

AI is reorganizing teams and workflows faster than most leaders expected. In a recent 24 Seven survey of nearly 1,000 professionals, productivity gains ranked as the top benefit of AI adoption, surpassing cost savings and revenue growth.

But productivity doesn’t happen automatically. Driving results at scale requires expertise in workflow redesign, data structure, tool selection, and change management – areas where AI consultants add immediate value.

Here are common signs it’s time to bring in an AI consultant:

  • You need to rebuild workflows but lack internal automation expertise
  • You want to scale content production without sacrificing quality
  • Your data is poorly structured for AI tools
  • Your team needs support adopting AI without disrupting existing work
  • You need better reporting and visibility into performance

What to Look for When Hiring an AI Consultant

Not all AI consultants have the same strengths, so clarity on the skills you truly need is essential.  

Technical expertise

When you’re evaluating technical skills, look for an AI consultant who can design, implement, and refine AI solutions from beginning to end. You want someone with deep, hands-on experience in machine learning and large language models (LLMs), and who knows how to apply generative AI tools to real business challenges. They should also be proficient in data engineering, ensuring your team has clean, high-quality data to work with. In addition, they need the ability to apply advanced prompt engineering and model optimization techniques to improve accuracy, performance, and reliability. Even if you don’t need every capability right away, the right consultant will have the scope and depth to guide you across the AI ecosystem and adjust their approach as your needs evolve.

Technology moves fast, and if you’re like most employers, you may not feel entirely confident assessing AI skills. You’re not alone. In our recent survey of hiring managers, 34 percent said that evaluating genuine AI skill level was their biggest challenge when hiring AI talent. That’s exactly where 24 Seven comes in. We have deep expertise in AI talent and a proven track record of identifying top-tier consultants in this space. We’ll connect you with vetted specialists who have the technical skills and practical experience to deliver real results for your organization.

Industry experience

Beyond the requisite technical knowledge, industry context matters. AI is applied differently across industries. For marketing and creative and marketing organizations, look for AI consultants with advanced expertise in:

  • Marketing automation and campaign workflows
  • Predictive analytics
  • Content and creative operations
  • eCommerce personalization
  • Customer experience platforms
  • Digital product development

Soft skills (that matter just as much)

AI is complex, but your consultant shouldn’t make it feel that way. Look for someone who can:

  • Explain concepts in plain language
  • Collaborate seamlessly across teams
  • Communicate progress and roadblocks clearly
  • Balance innovation with practicality

Questions to Ask Before You Hire an AI Consultant

Ask questions that can reveal both strategic thinking and practical experience. Clear, confident and detail-rich answers signal a strong AI consultant. Vague or overly technical responses can be a sign they’re not aligned with your needs.

  • Can you walk us through similar projects you’ve delivered?
  • How do you determine whether AI is the right solution?
  • What tools, models, or frameworks do you prefer and why?
  • How do you ensure data quality and accuracy?
  • How do you define success and measure results?

Build Your AI Strategy with 24 Seven

Hiring an AI consultant doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right partner, your team can unlock smarter workflows, better customer experiences, and impactful business outcomes. At 24 Seven, we connect companies with vetted AI consultants, machine learning specialists, and data experts who deliver impact from day one.

Ready to hire an AI consultant? Contact us today or explore our AI talent solutions to learn how we help organizations successfully implement AI.

chevron-down