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Artificial Intelligence–Driven Digital Transformation: Strategic Intelligence, Ethical Risk, and the Reconfiguration of Business Consulting in the Age of Advanced Machine Learning
Dr. Alexander M. Rowland , Department of Management and Information Systems, University of Wellington, New ZealandAbstract
Artificial intelligence has emerged as a foundational general-purpose technology reshaping economic structures, organizational strategies, and societal power relations. The rapid diffusion of machine learning, deep neural networks, and large-scale language models has fundamentally altered how data is transformed into strategic intelligence, how firms compete, and how advisory and consulting services are conceptualized and delivered. This research article develops an extensive theoretical and analytical examination of artificial intelligence–driven digital transformation, integrating perspectives from business intelligence, machine learning research, management consulting theory, innovation diffusion, and ethical governance. Drawing strictly upon the provided literature, the study synthesizes advances in algorithmic architectures such as attention-based models, reinforcement learning systems, and unsupervised multitask learners with organizational frameworks including competitive advantage theory, lean startup methodology, business model innovation, and case study research design. Particular attention is given to the ethical and democratic risks posed by algorithmic opacity, data monopolization, and automated decision-making systems, as articulated in critical scholarship on big data and inequality. Methodologically, the article adopts a qualitative, theory-building approach grounded in interpretive analysis and comparative conceptual synthesis. The results reveal that artificial intelligence operates not merely as a technological tool but as an institutional force reshaping producer–consumer relationships, redefining the boundaries of consulting expertise, and accelerating digital transformation trajectories across industries. The discussion highlights structural limitations, governance challenges, and the emerging need for hybrid human–AI consulting models that balance efficiency with accountability. The article concludes by proposing a comprehensive conceptual framework for responsible, strategy-oriented AI integration, emphasizing long-term value creation, ethical resilience, and adaptive organizational learning.
Keywords
Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, business intelligence, management consulting
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