Recently, there have been reports that consulting giant McKinsey is considering layoffs, potentially affecting thousands of positions. The decision comes as the company aims to improve operational efficiency amid the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology. During the company's 100th anniversary celebration, a McKinsey spokesperson said: "We are living in an era shaped by rapid AI advancements, which not only affects business but also transforms society."
Although McKinsey has not confirmed the exact number of layoffs, Bloomberg reported that the plan may be implemented in stages, expected to be completed within the next 18 to 24 months, with a possible reduction of up to 10% in non-client teams. At the same time, other McKinsey executives stated that AI is not the only reason for the layoffs, and the company's internal structure is undergoing restructuring.
Multiple studies show that the impact of AI on the labor market remains uncertain. Some research suggests that AI could eliminate millions of jobs, while some executives believe that with the popularity of AI, many companies are facing severe overstaffing. Consulting firms including McKinsey, Bain, KPMG, Boston Consulting Group, and PwC have all deployed internal AI assistants to help improve work efficiency.
The internal tool "Lilli" at McKinsey can reduce the time spent on searching and information integration by up to 30%. This tool quickly generates answers by aggregating multiple internal knowledge sources, greatly improving the efficiency of information processing. In addition, with the introduction of AI technology, McKinsey's organizational structure is also changing, and the traditional pyramid structure is shifting toward a more streamlined form.
James O'Donnell, CEO of Patrick Morgan, a professional services human resources company, said that McKinsey's move is a strategic choice. In recent years, the overall demand for traditional strategy consulting has declined, and companies are more inclined to hire CEOs with tech backgrounds and fast execution capabilities. Compared to traditional top-level frameworks, the delivery and value that bring tangible results have become the main focus of companies.
Key Points:
🌐 McKinsey is considering laying off thousands of people, with the plan to be implemented over the next 18 to 24 months.
🤖 The introduction of AI technology and the use of internal tools are changing the way the company works and its organizational structure.
📉 Traditional demand for strategy consulting has declined, and companies now place more emphasis on leaders with technological capabilities.
