AI strategy consulting: a clear plan for where AI creates value in your company
An AI strategy defines which goals you pursue with artificial intelligence, which use cases you implement in which order, and what data, budget, skills and rules that requires. AI strategy consulting builds this plan with you — as a prioritised roadmap rather than a slide deck. On Die KI Plattform you find vetted AI strategy consultants across the DACH region.
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The six building blocks of an AI strategy
A workable AI strategy answers these six questions. If one block is missing, projects usually fail later at exactly that point.
Goals & business link
Which business goals should AI support — cost, quality, revenue, speed — and how is success measured?
Use-case portfolio
Which use cases exist, how are they assessed and in which order are they delivered?
Data & architecture
Which data lives where, which platforms and models are used, what is bought and what is built?
Governance & EU AI Act
Rules for AI use, data protection, EU AI Act risk classes and clear responsibilities.
Organisation & skills
Who owns AI, which roles are needed internally, what is bought in and how are teams enabled?
Roadmap, budget & metrics
A timeline with milestones, a budget frame and metrics that are reviewed regularly.
Do you need an AI strategy — or a pilot first?
Not every company has to start with a full AI strategy. If the first use case is clear, small and measurable — such as automatically processing incoming invoices — a bounded pilot is often the faster and cheaper route. The free AI readiness check shows whether the prerequisites are in place.
An AI strategy pays off when several departments want to use AI at once, budgets need prioritising, scattered one-off projects should be brought together, or company-wide rules on data protection, security and the EU AI Act are needed.
How AI strategy consulting runs
A typical four-phase process. Duration and scope depend on company size and starting point.
1. Current-state review
Interviews with management and departments, review of data, systems and existing AI initiatives.
2. Collect & assess use cases
Ideation workshop and assessment by value, feasibility, data, risk and adoption.
3. Roadmap & business case
Prioritised roadmap with budget, owners, governance rules and metrics.
4. Start delivery
Set up the first pilot, select experts and refine the roadmap regularly.
What you have at the end of AI strategy consulting
- A prioritised list of use cases with assessment and rationale
- A 6- to 18-month roadmap with milestones and owners
- A budget frame and a business case for the first initiatives
- Guidelines for AI use: data protection, security, EU AI Act risk classes
- An assessment of which skills to build internally and which to buy in
- A concretely described first pilot that can be tendered right away
What does AI strategy consulting cost?
For AI strategy and consulting, typical day rates are about €1,000 to €1,800. How many consultant days are needed depends mainly on company size, number of departments and starting point. As a worked example: 5 to 15 consultant days at these rates come to roughly €5,000 to €27,000. This is a guide, not a fixed price — see "What does AI consulting cost?" for a detailed overview.
Typical profiles in AI strategy consulting
These are the kinds of profiles companies often look for when developing their AI strategy. After free registration, matching suggests suitable vetted experts.
AI strategy consultant for management
Translates business goals into an AI roadmap, runs management workshops and builds agreement on priorities.
Interim head of AI (fractional)
Takes on the AI lead role a few days a month until someone is built up internally.
Data & architecture consultant
Assesses data and system landscape and designs the target architecture for AI — from data platform to model choice.
AI business case analyst
Works out value, cost and risk of the use cases so investment decisions hold up.
Change & enablement consultant
Plans training, communication and role models so the strategy lands in day-to-day work.
Industry strategist for manufacturing
Connects AI strategy with production, maintenance and supply chain — building on existing machine and ERP data.
Example profiles for orientation — not real people. Availability and location vary.
AI strategy consulting — common questions
What is an AI strategy? +
An AI strategy is a plan that defines which business goals a company pursues with artificial intelligence, which use cases it implements in which order, and what data, budgets, skills and rules that requires.
What does AI strategy consulting do? +
AI strategy consulting develops the AI strategy with management and departments: current-state review, collecting and assessing use cases, a roadmap with business case and governance, and preparing the first pilot.
Do small and mid-sized companies need an AI strategy? +
Not always first. If the first use case is clear and small, a pilot is often more sensible. A strategy pays off once several departments want to use AI, budgets must be prioritised, or company-wide rules on data protection and the EU AI Act are needed.
How long does AI strategy consulting take? +
That depends on company size and starting point. A compact strategy process for a mid-sized company often takes a few weeks; company-wide programmes in large enterprises take considerably longer.
What does AI strategy consulting cost? +
Typical day rates for AI strategy are about €1,000 to €1,800. At 5 to 15 consultant days that comes to roughly €5,000 to €27,000 — a guide, not a fixed price.
What is the difference between AI strategy consulting and AI consulting? +
AI consulting is the umbrella term, ranging from potential analysis to technical delivery. AI strategy consulting is the part that sets goals, priorities, roadmap and rules — before or while the first projects are delivered.
Developing an AI strategy? Find vetted AI strategy consultants — for free.
Describe your project and get matched with strategy experts and agencies across the DACH region. No placement fee.