THE AI CONSULTANT : EMERGING INSIGHTS ON CULTURE CHANGE

I’ve been using AI in my consulting work for a couple of years—initially for the basics: writing support, transcription, and summarising data. But something shifted when I took it further. I built a bespoke GPT model trained on the best thinking in leadership and organisational culture. I call it The Culture Guru. Tongue-in-cheek, yes—but when I ask it, “What would a world-class culture thinker say about this?”, I often get sharp, provocative responses. I don’t always agree—but I always learn.

The Unspoken Truths of Culture

Here’s what this work is revealing: AI surfaces the unspoken. Ask AI to analyse culture, and it doesn’t just echo what’s said—it picks up tone, structure, and language patterns. It reveals assumptions people live by but rarely name. One executive put it well: “It’s like holding up a mirror and realising how much of our culture is implied, not said.” That’s where insight begins.

Bridging the Gaps

AI highlights the gaps between words and actions. Feed it policies, values, leadership communications—and AI often shows where the story breaks down. We say we value openness but avoid tension. We talk autonomy but layer in control. AI doesn’t judge. It notices. And what it notices are the subtle inconsistencies people feel but don’t say. These are often where trust falters and alignment drifts.

AI as a Cultural Actor

AI is now a cultural actor. AI isn’t neutral. When it’s working with me, it takes on aspects of how I think—my tone, values, and assumptions—and reflects them back. In turn, I’m influenced by how it responds. This creates a subtle but important loop: we shape AI, and AI shapes our framing, choices, and narratives. In this way, AI becomes part of the cultural system. It highlights certain things, downplays others, and subtly reinforces what’s seen as important or acceptable.

The real question is: What kind of culture is the AI learning from—and what is it reinforcing in return? If we’re not paying attention to that, we risk hardwiring in the very patterns we’re trying to shift.

Lessons Learned

So what’s the lesson? AI won’t fix your culture. But it will reflect it—clearly, quickly, and often more objectively than we might be comfortable with. Used well, AI doesn’t replace human sense-making—it strengthens it. It helps spot patterns, challenge drift, and hold up a mirror to how things really work.

But make no mistake: AI is now in the game. It’s not just observing culture—it’s shaping it. How we prompt it, train it, and use it matters. The question isn’t whether AI is influencing your culture—it’s whether you’re using that influence consciously.

The Future of AI in Culture

As we move forward, the role of AI in shaping culture will only grow. Businesses must consider how they integrate AI into their cultural frameworks. This involves not just understanding AI's capabilities but also its limitations.

Embracing Change

Organisations need to embrace the changes that AI brings. This means being open to feedback and willing to adapt. The insights provided by AI can lead to significant improvements in organisational culture. By recognising the gaps and inconsistencies, companies can take actionable steps to align their values with their actions.

Training and Development

Investing in training is crucial. Employees should understand how to interact with AI tools effectively. This includes knowing how to interpret the insights provided and applying them in a meaningful way. Training can also help mitigate any biases that may arise from AI's reflections.

Ethical Considerations

Ethics must be at the forefront of AI implementation. Companies should consider the implications of the data they feed into AI systems. Ensuring that AI learns from diverse and inclusive sources is essential to prevent reinforcing negative cultural patterns.

Measuring Impact

Finally, measuring the impact of AI on culture is vital. Organisations should establish metrics to assess how AI influences their cultural dynamics. This can include employee engagement surveys, feedback mechanisms, and performance indicators.

In conclusion, AI is a powerful tool that can provide profound insights into organisational culture. By understanding its role and using it consciously, businesses can foster a healthier, more aligned culture. The journey of integrating AI into culture is ongoing, and the potential for growth is immense.