PwC US CEO urges MBA and liberal arts studies as AI reshapes consulting
PwC’s U.S. senior partner Paul Griggs says AI is shifting hiring toward data experts and recommends advanced degrees for his children and future professionals.
Paul Griggs, senior partner and CEO of PwC’s U.S. operations, explained that the firm’s hiring patterns have shifted, with fewer consultants and accountants recruited this year than two years prior, as demand grows for data scientists, engineers and AI specialists. Referencing PwC’s 2026 AI Jobs Barometer, he highlighted that professional-services occupations are among the fastest-changing and that roles requiring human expertise alongside AI are expanding twice as quickly, with wages rising markedly since 2021.
Despite these trends, Griggs remains optimistic about consulting, noting that core work remains stable and that AI is generating new business opportunities. He advises his three children—and future talent—to pursue master’s degrees, particularly MBAs or liberal-arts programs, to develop the curiosity and continuous-learning mindset he values. PwC plans to keep sourcing talent from diverse academic backgrounds and continues collaborations with institutions like Harvard Business School’s RevUp program and a Wharton AI training course led by professor Ethan Mollick.
Why it matters
AI is altering the skills needed in consulting and accounting, shaping education and hiring priorities for workers.
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