BCG North America chair emphasizes blend of business sense and tech skills in AI age

Mel Wolfgang, who became chair of Boston Consulting Group's North America practice in May, found that a surprising number of traditional consultants have picked up technical skills comparable to the firm's specialist hires. This insight comes as BCG ramps up hiring of both business generalists and technical experts, seeking individuals who can navigate AI tools such as Claude and Codex while still exercising strong problem-framing and judgment.

Wolfgang estimates that roughly three-quarters of a tenth to two-fifths of the firm's work now centers on AI, and almost all engagements touch on the technology in some way. To meet client demand, BCG has broadened its AI training program, offering a four-tier curriculum that includes hands-on tasks like programming multi-agent AI tools, with assessments that adapt to learners' performance. About half of North American staff have completed the first tier, a third the second, and twenty percent the third, with a goal of universal first-level completion by year-end. Wolfgang stresses that technical instruction complements, rather than replaces, the critical-thinking core of consulting.