Accenture is cutting 11,000 employees as part of an AI-focused restructuring program. The consulting giant is simultaneously the company that advises others on AI transformation and a company undergoing its own AI transformation.
At 750,000 employees, Accenture's 11,000 cuts represent about 1.5% of its workforce, relatively modest by percentage. But the signal to the consulting industry is clear: if Accenture believes AI reduces the need for human consultants, clients will expect fewer consultants on their projects too. This has cascading implications for the entire professional services sector.