What happens when AI stops being a tool that sits alongside a business and starts becoming part of the delivery model itself?

In this episode of Consulting the Future, I sit down with Esteban Sancho, CTO for North America at Globant, to explore how AI is changing the economics, structure, and expectations of modern consulting. Esteban shares how Globant's AI Pods combine agentic AI, automation, and experienced engineering talent into what he describes as a delivery system rather than a traditional project team.

We discuss why so many organizations remain stuck in AI pilot mode despite enormous investment and executive pressure to demonstrate results. Esteban explains the gap between what AI is capable of and what most businesses are operationally prepared to support. From rethinking workflows and team structures to creating governance models that build trust, he offers a practical view of what it takes to move from experimentation to production.

The conversation also examines the future role of consultants in an AI-powered world. Will AI replace consulting teams, or simply change what expertise looks like? Esteban argues that human judgment, systems thinking, and the ability to design reliable AI delivery models are becoming more valuable, not less.

We also explore why outcome-based delivery is gaining momentum, how financial institutions are adopting AI faster than many expected, and what business leaders should consider when balancing innovation with oversight and accountability.

If you're trying to understand where consulting, software development, and enterprise AI are heading next, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how some organizations are already adapting to a very different future.

What role do you think human expertise will play as AI becomes embedded in every business process? I'd love to hear your thoughts.