What does an AI consultant actually do?
I've been seeing the title "AI Consultant" quite often lately.
But honestly, it's hard to tell what they actually do for you, isn't it? I used to think the same thing.
I currently work as an instructor at an AI school and run my own business using AI. From that perspective, I'll give you an honest answer to the question, "What does an AI consultant actually do?"
To give you the conclusion first,the work is actually quite mundane.
First, the textbook answer
If you search for it, the job of an AI consultant is usually explained like this:
Organize company challenges and create an AI utilization plan
Select which AI tools to use and implement them
Prepare usage rules and prompt templates
Teach employees how to use them and support them until it becomes routine
Provide consultation on how to integrate generative AI into actual business operations
When you look up the market rates, you see figures like 300,000 to 1.5 million yen for a spot diagnostic, and 500,000 to 2 million yen for comprehensive strategy development.
...That's not wrong. It's not wrong, but doesn't it leave you wondering, "So, what do they actually do for me?" It did for me.
So, I will write about what I actually do.
What I actually do
There are no flashy AI stories here.
Automated the task of sending sales messages via inquiry forms using AI
Created a tool to automatically reply to Google reviews
Semi-automated the production of SEO articles using AI
Before business meetings, I have AI research the client's company and prepare proposal materials
It's just this. I don't talk about complex AI theories or anything like that.I just take the tedious tasks right in front of me and hand them over to AI one by one. That's really all I do.
The first one, automating cold email outreach, brought in 830,000 yen in new orders last month alone just from this. I also build and run tools for replying to reviews and semi-automating SEO articles myself.
In other words, despite the grand title, being an AI consultant is actually just the humble work of reducing a company's tedious tasks one by one using AI."
To be honest, the most important thing isn't AI skills.
This is the point I most want to convey in this article.
When people hear 'AI consultant,' they imagine someone who is incredibly knowledgeable about AI. But from working in the field, I've realized that AI knowledge doesn't actually make that much of a difference.
After all, if you ask AI how to use it, it will tell you. If you ask, 'I want to do this, how do I do it?', it will give you the method. Honestly, I don't really struggle with that part.
So, what makes the difference? There are two things.
One is the ability to identify problems.
Most companies don't even know what they want done themselves. That's natural. Since they don't know what AI can do, there's no way they can say, 'Do this with AI.'
Therefore, my job is to go and find the problems that the client hasn't even noticed yet. This is the most important part of the work. It's more about figuring out 'what should be automated in the first place' than operating the AI.
The other is the ability to get work in the first place, which is sales.
I feel this even when watching students in AI schools. Some people gain AI skills but then get stuck because it doesn't lead to work. Conversely, those who can sell grow rapidly. There is demand. There are countless companies in trouble. The only question is whether you can meet them.
Showing your face at the Chamber of Commerce, going to business owner gatherings, asking acquaintances who are business owners about their troubles. It's humble work, but the people who can take action here are the ones who grow the most.
AI consulting sounds like it's about AI, but 90% of the substance is 'the ability to elicit problems' and 'the ability to meet people.'
How to use AI to 'identify problems'
'Identifying problems they haven't noticed' sounds difficult, doesn't it? But AI helps with this too.
Before a business meeting, I always have AI research the client's company. I have it read their website content and analyze 'what the company's strengths are and where they might be having trouble.' Then, I have the AI create a draft of the proposal materials.
If you did this manually, it would take hours for just one company. You couldn't possibly do it every time. But with AI, you can finish everything from research to creating the proposal format in no time.
That's why, at the business meeting, I can jump straight into concrete discussions, saying, 'Isn't this a problem for your company?' It's much more productive than going in empty-handed and asking, 'Are you having any trouble?' I can prepare the problems they hadn't even noticed beforehand.
This is also a low-key but effective method.
Honestly, "AI consulting" feels a bit sketchy.
I'll be honest here too. "AI consulting" has a bit of a sketchy reputation, doesn't it?
That's because the term "consulting" gets tacked onto everything. Management consulting, lead generation consulting, dating consulting. Anyone can claim it if they say it loud enough. AI consulting is the same; it's a world where you can sell it for a high price even if there's no substance to it.
That is precisely why I want to define it clearly for myself. For me, an AI consultant is this:
Someone who uses AI to solve a client's problems.
It doesn't end with just teaching them words or creating documents. You have to go as far as actually reducing the other person's burden. Without that, you're just a "person who knows a lot about AI," and I don't think that can be called consulting.
Regarding pricing, I also have an honest opinion. For fields where you have no track record, accept work at a lower rate than the market average to first build up your experience. This is what I have done myself. When I started website production, I accepted jobs for 50,000 yen. As my track record grew, I now charge about 150,000 yen per project, or 500,000 yen depending on the scope. Even so, it's still cheaper than the market average.
Rather than suddenly saying, "AI consulting is 500,000 yen," it's better to deliver results even at a low price first. Once results are achieved, you can raise your rates later. I believe this order is more sincere.
Using my own company as a test subject
The reason I can talk to people about AI is because I first try everything out at my own company.
Automating cold email outreach, tools for replying to reviews, and semi-automating SEO article production—I tried everything myself first. I only recommend things to others that I have used and that have genuinely reduced my workload or produced results.
I don't want to sell something by saying "this is great" if I haven't used it myself. I act as the test subject, and I only pass on what works. That is my way of doing things.
What I can do precisely because I am not an engineer
I am not an engineer. I have studied programming properly, but I am not an expert.
However, I think that is actually a strength.
I can explain things to people who know nothing about AI or programming in words they can understand. Because I come from that side myself. I know where people get stuck, what they are afraid of, and what they don't understand, because I've experienced it myself.
Even if an expert speaks in technical jargon, it won't reach the people on the front lines. I can stand in the middle and act as an interpreter. I believe this way of engaging is perfect for small businesses or solo entrepreneurs. Those are the people I want to help.
So, what kind of business is an AI consultant, anyway?
I've written a lot, but my answer is simple.
Someone who uses AI to reduce the burdens of others.
Rather than someone who talks about the latest AI trends with a serious face, I want to be the person who sits next to you and helps eliminate the tasks in front of you, one by one. I don't mind a modest job title. After all, the substance of my work is modest too.
That said, I am testing out a new automation in my own company again today. If it works, I will pass it on to someone else.
I also accept consultations for AI-based business automation and web marketing on my company's website. Small and medium-sized business owners, please feel free to reach out.
Author: Abejo (Joichi Abe). After working as a comedian, a cram school instructor, and a web writer, I am now the representative of Hatorox Inc. I am currently verifying the automation of article production and sales within my own company by transplanting the experience I gained from writing over 600 SEO articles into AI. I also work as an instructor at an AI school. Please visit hatorox.com for consultations.