Consulting firms have built thousands of AI agents. Now they're trying to figure out their worth. (www.businessinsider.com)

Major consulting firms like McKinsey, PwC, EY, and BCG have rapidly deployed thousands of AI agents to enhance their operations and assist clients in optimizing workflows. The significant shift from simple adoption to assessing the true business value of these AI tools is underway. Leaders in these firms are now focusing on metrics that show how much time AI agents save and whether that time can be redirected toward higher-value tasks or improved productivity. The shift in evaluation reflects a broader understanding that simply having more AI agents isn’t enough; effectiveness is paramount. For instance, PwC targets specific "impact zones" to see how AI agents improve user interaction, while BCG reveals that their employees are reinvesting saved time into deeper analysis rather than merely increasing workloads. Moreover, BCG has found that up to 30% of saved time translates into more leisure, echoing economist John Keynes' vision for the future where productivity leads to a better work-life balance. This ongoing evaluation underscores a pivotal moment in the AI/ML community, as firms strive to turn quantitative measures into qualitative improvements in work and well-being.