The Big Four's AI Revolution in 2025: A Game Changer

The Big Four firms are at the forefront of a major shift, driven by AI. They're not just helping clients adapt to AI, but also transforming their own operations. This year saw AI tools become a standard part of their work, from audit to tax and consulting. Deloitte, EY, PwC, and KPMG all launched AI platforms. Deloitte's Zora AI and EY's EY. ai are just a few examples. These platforms use AI agents to handle tasks like data collection and document review. PwC and KPMG also introduced their own AI tools, showing that AI is now a key part of their services. But AI isn't just changing how they work—it's also affecting who they hire. The Big Four are hiring fewer entry-level staff, as AI takes over some routine tasks. Instead, they're focusing on hiring technologists and upskilling their current employees.The nature of the work is also changing. Consultants are now building and maintaining AI tools for clients, rather than just offering advice. This shift means that junior staff will take on more strategic roles, managing AI agents and making key decisions. However, AI isn't perfect. In October, Deloitte had to partially refund the Australian government after AI errors were found in a report. This shows that while AI is powerful, it's not foolproof. The Big Four are also rethinking how they charge clients. Instead of billing by the hour, they might start charging based on the outcomes AI agents deliver. This could mean a big change in how they do business. Overall, AI is reshaping the Big Four in major ways. It's changing their services, their hiring, and even their business models. The question is, how will they continue to adapt in the years to come?