What are the best books on AI consulting?
No single book covers AI consulting end to end, so the best reading list combines four kinds of book: the economics and strategy of AI, leading AI transformation in an organization, building AI systems, and the craft of consulting itself. The books below are the ones we recommend most often to clients and to people joining the field.
The best books on AI consulting at a glance
| Book | Author(s) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Prediction Machines | Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans and Avi Goldfarb | Understanding the economics of AI |
| Power and Prediction | Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans and Avi Goldfarb | How AI reshapes whole systems and industries |
| Competing in the Age of AI | Marco Iansiti and Karim R. Lakhani | AI strategy and operating models |
| Rewired | Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje and Rodney Zemmel | Leading digital and AI transformation |
| Human + Machine | Paul R. Daugherty and H. James Wilson | Redesigning work around people and AI |
| Co-Intelligence | Ethan Mollick | Working with generative AI day to day |
| AI Engineering | Chip Huyen | Building applications on foundation models |
| Designing Machine Learning Systems | Chip Huyen | Taking machine learning into production |
| The Trusted Advisor | David H. Maister, Charles H. Green and Robert M. Galford | Building client trust |
| Flawless Consulting | Peter Block | The craft of consulting |
Books on AI strategy and economics
Prediction Machines
A clear framework for thinking about AI as cheaper prediction, and what that means for decisions, jobs and strategy. Useful for explaining AI's value to executives.
Power and Prediction
The same authors' follow-up, on why AI's biggest gains come from redesigning whole systems rather than adding point solutions, which matches what we see in practice.
Competing in the Age of AI
How AI-centered companies build their operating models around data and algorithms, with many company examples. Good for strategy conversations.
Books on leading AI transformation
Rewired
McKinsey authors' practical playbook for digital and AI transformation: talent, operating model, technology and adoption. Strong on the organizational side.
Human + Machine
How to redesign work so people and AI each do what they do best. Useful for workflow redesign, which research links to the profits companies see from AI.
Co-Intelligence
A practical, readable guide to working alongside generative AI, from an author who has studied AI's effect on knowledge work.
Books on building AI systems
AI Engineering
How to build reliable applications on top of large language models, including evaluation, retrieval and deployment. Essential for technical consultants.
Designing Machine Learning Systems
How to design machine learning systems that work in production, including data, monitoring and iteration. The production mindset clients pay for.
Books on the craft of consulting
The Trusted Advisor
Why clients trust some advisors more than others, and how to earn that trust. As AI handles more analysis, this matters more, not less.
Flawless Consulting
A classic on how to contract, diagnose, give feedback and implement with clients. The fundamentals have not changed.
How should you use this reading list?
- Executives and buyers: start with Prediction Machines and Rewired.
- Aspiring AI consultants: read Co-Intelligence, The Trusted Advisor and one technical book.
- Technical consultants: read AI Engineering and Designing Machine Learning Systems, then Flawless Consulting.
Books give frameworks; experience gives judgment. Pair your reading with real projects, and see AI consulting jobs and how to start an AI consulting business for next steps. For our own writing, browse Optivus Insights.
The bottom line
The best books on AI consulting cover four areas: AI economics and strategy (Prediction Machines, Power and Prediction, Competing in the Age of AI), leading transformation (Rewired, Human + Machine, Co-Intelligence), building AI systems (AI Engineering, Designing Machine Learning Systems) and the consulting craft (The Trusted Advisor, Flawless Consulting). Pick the area that fits your role and pair it with real projects.