Four Revolutionary Impacts of AI on the Big Four in 2025

In 2025, the Big Four accounting firms—Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, and EY—experienced a significant transformation as Artificial Intelligence became deeply embedded in their operations and strategy. These firms are not only integrating AI technologies within their own organizations but are also key players in assisting their clients to do the same, essentially becoming the experimental ground for AI-driven processes in the consulting realm.

The AI Agent Era

This year marked a pivotal shift as AI tools previously limited to niche applications became widely accepted across all sectors of the Big Four's operations—audit, tax, and consulting. Technologies like chatbots and advanced AI systems are now common aids for employees, with clients also gaining greater access to these tools.

Deloitte for instance, introduced Zora AI, a platform created in partnership with Nvidia, designed to offer 'intelligent digital workers' to clients for task automation. Additionally, Deloitte enhanced AI features in its cloud platform, Omnia, and entered an agreement to extend Claude AI to its vast employee base globally.

EY followed suit with EY.ai, allowing thousands of employees access to a suite of AI agents for various tasks. The firm intends to massively scale its AI initiatives in the coming years, investing heavily in platforms and development, signaling its commitment with over a billion-dollar annual budget.

PwC has also committed to this evolution, unveiling its agent OS system and capitalizing on partnerships with technology leaders like Salesforce and AWS to enhance service delivery through AI.

Meanwhile, KPMG launched Workbench in collaboration with Microsoft, focusing on connecting multiple AI agents and preparing new ones for future use. However, adaptation is not without errors—as seen when Deloitte had to recompense the Australian government due to AI-related errors.

Shifts in Hiring Practices

With AI's growing influence, there's a shifting trend in how these firms approach employment. Particularly, entry-level hiring faces a slowdown as tasks that once required numerous employees are now being automated or enhanced by technology.

A revealing internal document from PwC suggested a significant reduction in graduate hiring, partly influenced by AI, pointing towards an industry-wide reevaluation of labor needs.

The impact is felt at higher levels too, with partners—who have long been the firm's mainstays—moving on to newer ventures that promise participation in AI innovations and potentially accelerated career advancement.

Technologists: The New Workforce

In contrast to the slowed entry-level hiring, there’s a marked increase in demand for skilled technologists. EY has notably expanded this talent pool significantly, and now technologists comprise a substantial portion of its workforce. PwC is similarly opening paths and opportunities for technical talents as it embraces these changes.

Efforts to upskill current employees are also underway. For example, EY has developed an AI tool to help its employees understand and adapt to how AI will reshape their jobs. Signals of this shift are evident, as a significant number of EY staff have already participated in new AI learning modules.

Transformation of Traditional Work Models

The nature of roles within consultancy is evolving rapidly with AI. Instead of pure advisory roles, consultants are entering collaborations that involve developing and sustaining AI tools within client businesses.

PwC anticipates a further shift in roles as companies start designing operations with AI integration from the start, not merely as an additive. EY considers this shift vital enough to contemplate a new commercial model, charging based on outcomes rather than time and resources, emphasizing a service-as-a-software model.

This ongoing transformation means that daily tasks for consultants are adapting, particularly affecting junior roles. Graduates are expected to step into managerial duties swiftly as AI takes over routine audit tasks.

KPMG is similarly nurturing its young consultants for rapid career growth, preparing them to manage and strategize with teams of AI tools—illustrating the burgeoning role of AI in redefining career trajectories within these firms.