What is an AI Consultant – and do you actually need one?
Let’s be honest — the phrase “AI consultant” can sound a bit… techy. Maybe even a bit intimidating. Like something only big companies with giant IT departments should worry about.
But here’s the truth:
An AI consultant (at least the way I do it) is simply someone who helps you figure out how to use tools that save you time, help you create better content, and make running your business a little easier — without you needing to become a tech wizard.
You don’t need to understand machine learning. You don’t need to “build an agent.”
You just need someone who can explain what’s possible, show you what’s useful, and help you get it working — in a way that makes sense for your business.
So, do you actually need one?
Maybe. Maybe not.
If you’re nodding along to any of these, then yes — it’s probably worth a chat:
- You’re hearing about AI everywhere, but have no idea where to start
- You’ve wasted hours fiddling with tools that didn’t deliver
- You’re worried you’re missing out — or worse, falling behind
- You’d love to use AI to save time, but you’ve already got enough on your plate
If that sounds like you, I can help. And if it doesn’t, no worries. Keep reading. I’ll show you exactly what AI can do (and where it’s not worth your time).
How can this actually help me in my business?
Let’s cut to it — you don’t care about the tech. You care about what it does.
You’re not looking for another gadget, another trend, or another thing to add to your already packed to-do list.
You just want something that makes life easier. And that’s exactly where this stuff can shine.
Here are a few very real ways these tools are helping small business owners right now — people like you, with no tech background and no time to spare:
✍️ “I never take meeting notes anymore”
There’s a tool called Fireflies that joins your meetings (in person or online), writes up everything that was said, and even pulls out the action points. It turned up to a meeting I missed the other day. Took notes. Sent me the summary.
🎧 “I don’t have time to listen to 3-hour podcasts”
Me neither. But there’s a tool that’ll summarise them into a single diagram with key takeaways — and even answer questions you ask about the episode. Perfect for learning, without the long listen.
📣 “I need to post on LinkedIn, but I’ve got no idea what to say”
There’s a simple tool where you just tell it what your post is about. A couple of clicks later, it’s written.
You can tweak it to sound more like you, but the hard bit’s done.
📹 “I don’t want to film myself on camera”
Fair enough. A tool like Heygen takes a short clip of you talking once, then lets you create as many videos as you like — with your face and voice, saying whatever you want. Honestly, mine looked a bit wooden. But the tech’s improving fast.
🎨 “I need better photos and graphics — quickly”
You can now upload a quick selfie, and within minutes have a bunch of clean, professional-looking headshots. No photographer, no lighting setup. Same goes for product images, banners, even simple video clips. It’s all doable with the right tools.
✅ “I just want someone to tell me what to use, and when”
And that’s where I come in.
Because the tech isn’t the hard part. The hard part is knowing which bits are actually worth your time.
And that’s what I help you figure out.
If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I know AI could be useful, I just don’t know how” — then we should probably talk.
Want to see the tools I recommend most?
What tools are actually worth using – and which ones should you avoid?
Let’s be honest — there are hundreds of new tools popping up every month.
Every one of them claims to be “game-changing.” Most of them are just… time-wasting.
So instead of giving you a long list of everything under the sun, here are the ones I actually use — and why they’re worth your time (and in some cases, your money).
🗒 Fireflies – “Meeting notes sorted”
What it does: Joins your meetings, records them, and sends you a full summary including action points.
Why I like it: I don’t take notes anymore — and even when I forget to attend, it doesn’t. Worth it? Yes. Especially if you’re in and out of Zoom or Teams all week.
🎧 Mattify – “Makes long podcasts short”
What it does: Turns hour-long podcasts into simple summaries and visuals you can actually remember.
Why I like it: I love Diary of a CEO… I don’t love spending 3 hours listening to it. Worth it? If you want to learn fast without the faff, yes.
🔍 Perplexity – “Cleaner answers than Google”
What it does: Gives you answers to your questions — without all the waffle, ads, or clickbait.
Why I like it: It just gets to the point. It’s like having a really smart mate who doesn’t make you scroll. Worth it? Yes, but it’s about £15/month. I’ve got a trick to cut that cost (more on that shortly).
💬 Reactor – “Write content in minutes, not hours”
What it does: You tell it what kind of post you want (LinkedIn, blog, etc), give it a bit of info, and it writes it for you.
Why I like it: It’s great when your brain’s fried but your content calendar isn’t going to fill itself. Worth it? Yes — if you create content regularly and don’t want to stare at a blank screen.
🎭 Heygen – “Video without filming yourself”
What it does: You record a short clip once, and it creates video content for you using your face and voice.
Why I like it: It feels a bit odd at first, but it saves a lot of awkward camera time. Worth it? If you hate filming yourself but need videos for your site or socials — 100%.
📹 Runway – “Quick, decent-looking video content”
What it does: Turns words, images or existing video into something that looks like a short advert.
Why I like it: I made a mini ad for a local business in about 15 minutes. No script, no crew. Worth it? If you need video but don’t want to faff around editing — definitely.
👥 Sector Labs – “Better profile photos”
What it does: Upload a few selfies, and it creates loads of polished headshots you can use anywhere.
Why I like it: Cheaper than a photographer and faster than waiting for ‘that perfect lighting’. Worth it? Yes, especially if your LinkedIn photo still looks like it’s from 2012.
💷 Bonus Tip – “How to stop paying full price for all this stuff”
There’s a site called GamsGo that lets you share subscriptions with other people.
Instead of paying £15 a month for Perplexity, I pay less than a fiver. It’s not dodgy — it’s just a smart way of cutting down on tool costs.
Do I need them all?
You don’t need every tool on this list. In fact, you probably only need one or two to start with.
And if you’re not sure which ones fit your business best, that’s where I can help.
Is this even legal? What you need to know before using these tools
This is the question most people don’t ask — until it’s too late.
You’ve probably heard horror stories:
“Someone used AI and got sued.”
“Companies banning AI in the workplace.”
“Don’t touch Midjourney unless you’ve got a lawyer on speed dial.”
So let’s talk about it — openly, plainly, and without scaremongering.
Here’s the truth:
Using these tools isn’t illegal.
But how you use them can get you into trouble — especially when it comes to:
- Copyrighted images
- Sensitive data (yours or someone else’s)
- Passing off work as “100% human” when it isn’t
Here’s what I’ve learnt (the short version):
I recently went to a legal seminar in Bristol on this exact topic.
Here’s what the lawyers said:
✅ Safer options:
- Getty Images & iStock: You’re usually fine using their AI tools because they’re trained on images they actually own.
- Microsoft Copilot: Microsoft offers legal backing if someone comes after you for using their tool — as long as you’ve played fair.
❌ Risky territory:
- Midjourney and similar image generators: Lawyers are saying steer clear for anything commercial. Why? Because no one really knows where those images are trained from.
So what’s the bottom line?
I’m not a legal expert. But I do care about using this stuff responsibly — and helping you do the same.
So here’s my simple rule of thumb:
If you wouldn’t borrow it from someone without asking, don’t use it in your marketing.
There are tools that are safe.
There are ways to use AI without risking your reputation.
And I can help you figure that out without the legal jargon or grey areas.
How much does all this actually cost – and is it worth it?
Let’s be honest – this is the question on everyone’s mind, even if no one wants to ask it out loud.
You start with one little app that looks helpful. £15 a month.
Then another one. £20 a month.
Then one of those “Pro” versions you didn’t know you needed.
Before you know it, you’re £100 deep every month and wondering what happened.
So let’s talk money – properly.
Most tools cost something, but not as much as you’d think
Here’s a rough guide based on the tools I actually use:
| Tool | What It Does | Approx. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fireflies | Meeting notes & summaries | £0 (basic) to £8+ |
| Mattify | Podcast & content summaries | £12–£15 |
| Perplexity | Clean, ad-free search results | ~£15 |
| Reactor | Writes your social media posts | ~£10–£20 |
| Heygen | Video presenter using your voice | ~£20+ |
| Runway | Quick video ad generator | Depends on usage |
| Sector Labs | Headshots & profile photos | One-off payment |
Some have free trials. Some are pay-as-you-go. Some you’ll never need — and I’ll tell you that honestly.
Here’s the good news: You don’t need all of them
In fact, you probably only need one or two to get started.
I’ve worked with small businesses who:
- Save hours every week with just Fireflies
- Run all their socials using just Reactor or Heygen
- Create branded content using just Runway
This is where an hour with someone who’s tried them all (that’s me) can save you a lot of wasted time and subscription fees.
Bonus tip: How to pay less for the tools you do want
There’s a site called Games Co (odd name, smart idea). It lets you team up with others to share subscriptions legally – like a group plan. So instead of £15/month for something like Perplexity, I pay about £4.
Again – not dodgy, just smarter.
What I won’t do:
- I won’t recommend a tool unless I’ve used it myself
- I won’t push something just because it’s shiny or popular
- I won’t leave you with a list of 15 logins and no clue how to use them
The point isn’t to collect tools.
The point is to find one or two things that make your life easier, straight away.
If you’d like help picking the right tools – not all the tools – that’s what I do.
What’s it like to work with me? (No buzzwords, no waffle)
If you’re expecting a big agency with glass offices, coffee-table jargon, and three people called “strategy leads”… this probably isn’t for you.
But if you’re after someone who’ll sit down, show you what works, explain things in plain English, and leave you feeling relieved rather than more overwhelmed — then you’re in the right place.
Here’s how it usually works:
Step 1: A quick chat (15–30 minutes, free of charge)
This isn’t a sales call. It’s a conversation. You tell me:
- What you’re trying to do
- What you’re struggling with
- Whether you’ve already dabbled with tools or not
If I can help — I’ll explain how.
If I can’t — I’ll point you in the right direction. Simple as that.
Step 2: A session built around your business
If you want to move forward, we’ll book a proper session. That could mean:
- Picking the right tools for the job
- Helping you get them set up
- Showing you how to use them day-to-day
- Creating a mini process that fits your actual workflow
You can record the session. Ask as many questions as you like. And if it all feels a bit too much, we’ll slow it down.
Step 3: You get the tools, the plan, and the confidence
By the end of the session, you’ll:
- Know which tools make sense for you
- Understand how to use them without Googling every five minutes
- Have a process you can repeat, tweak or scale — with or without me
Ongoing support (if you want it)
Some people are happy after one session.
Others want me on hand a bit longer — to check in monthly, support their team, or help build AI into their content, admin or client processes.
There’s no pressure either way. I don’t lock anyone into anything.
“But I’m not very techy…”
That’s fine. Most people I work with say the same thing.
This isn’t about learning code. It’s about understanding just enough to make things easier, quicker, and more consistent — using tools that feel like a natural fit for the way you already work.
And if you are a bit techy? Brilliant. We’ll move faster.
So if you’ve been sitting on this for a while, wondering whether now’s the right time to figure it all out… here’s your chance.
Why work with me instead of another AI consultant (or just watching YouTube videos)?
It’s a fair question. And if you’re anything like most small business owners I meet, you’re probably thinking:
“Can’t I just learn this stuff myself online?”
“Aren’t there bigger agencies who do all of this?”
“What makes you any different?”
So here’s the honest answer.
I’ve been where you are
I spent 25 years in the creative industry — branding, marketing, design. Two years ago, I’d never touched AI.
Now? I use it daily to run content, streamline workflows, and help small business owners do more with less.
This isn’t theory. I didn’t read a book or jump on a trend. I live this stuff — and I know what actually works for real people in real businesses.
I focus on people, not platforms
Most AI “experts” talk about tools. I talk about outcomes.
What are you trying to actually achieve?
Is it saving time? Creating better content? Helping your team do more without burnout?
The tools are just a means to an end. I help you get to the end without wasting months figuring it all out.
I work with UK-based businesses (like yours)
No fluff, no Silicon Valley buzzwords. Just practical help, tailored to what it’s actually like running a business in the UK in 2025.
I don’t overcomplicate it
- You don’t need 20 tools.
- You don’t need custom agents or full automation from day one.
- You need clarity, confidence, and consistency.
That’s what I help you build — one step at a time.
What you see is what you get
- I don’t outsource sessions to someone else
- I don’t push tools you don’t need
- I don’t speak in jargon to sound clever
You get straight answers, honest feedback, and zero pressure. If I don’t think something’s worth your time or money, I’ll tell you.
If that sounds like the kind of help you’re looking for, brilliant.
And if not? That’s fine too. You’re still welcome to sign up for my newsletter or follow along for tips.
Ready to give it a go? Here’s how we can start
If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re not here out of curiosity.
You’re here because something about all this clicked.
Maybe you’re tired of falling behind.
Maybe you know there’s a better way to get things done — but you’re not sure where to start.
Maybe you’re just ready to stop thinking about AI and finally use it.
Wherever you’re at, here are a few easy ways we can move forward:
Option 1: Book a quick, no-pressure chat
15–20 minutes. No sales pitch.
We’ll talk about your business, where AI might help, and whether it makes sense to go further.
👉 Book your free discovery call
Option 2: Grab my free guide
If you’re not ready to talk, no problem.
Download the free cheat sheet and start exploring at your own pace:
📄 3 AI Tools That Could Save You 10+ Hours a Week
Option 3: Follow along for tips
I regularly share simple, helpful updates on LinkedIn and through my email newsletter.
No spam. Just what’s new, what’s useful, and how real businesses are making this stuff work.
👉 Follow me on LinkedIn
👉 Join the mailing list
No pressure. No hard sell.
Just honest help, practical support, and a focus on you — not the tech.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
And you don’t have to wait for things to get more complicated.
Let’s make AI make sense — together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an Artificial Intelligence Consultant actually do?
An Artificial Intelligence Consultant helps businesses use artificial intelligence tools to improve day-to-day operations, save time, and support their business objectives. It’s not about replacing people — it’s about removing the manual, repetitive work and making business processes faster, easier and more consistent. A good consultant will offer bespoke AI solutions that align with your goals, industry, and team setup.
How can AI help improve customer experiences?
AI-based solutions can help you improve customer service and streamline every customer touchpoint — from automated email replies to quicker responses through chatbots. More than just speed, AI tools can help you personalise your service, track customer preferences, and better respond to feedback — all of which lead to stronger business outcomes and a better experience for your clients.
Do I need technical skills to use AI in my business?
No — you don’t need a technical background to benefit from AI-driven solutions. Many automation tools are now built for everyday business owners who just want something that works. My consultancy services take a hands-on approach to show you how to use these tools in a way that fits your level of comfort and confidence. You’ll learn what you need to know, and nothing you don’t.
What kind of business challenges can AI help with?
AI can help you tackle many common challenges like content creation, admin overload, slow customer service, and disconnected business operations. Whether you’re trying to reduce repetitive tasks, generate marketing material, or speed up decision-making, AI offers practical support. The key is matching the right artificial intelligence tools to your specific business goals.
How do you make sure your services align with client needs?
It all starts with an understanding of client needs. I don’t use off-the-shelf packages. Everything I do is tailored around your business process, current challenges, and long-term business development plans. I take a collaborative approach and work to ensure full alignment with client values and culture, not just your tech stack.
What industries or business types do you work with?
I work with a wide range of small to medium-sized businesses across the UK. Whether you’re in marketing, retail, consultancy, trades, coaching, or business services, AI can be adapted to suit your workflow. The focus is always on creating real-world solutions that help you overcome business challenges and gain a competitive edge.
What makes your consultancy services different?
Many agencies focus on the tech. I focus on you. I bring a client-oriented approach with strong project management skills, clear communication, and a genuine understanding of what it’s like to run a small business. You get practical help, at a reasonable price, with no confusing jargon. It’s a mix of collaborative support and a hands-on approach that’s built around real results.
Is AI just a trend or a long-term investment?
Artificial Intelligence and AI Consulting are becoming part of everyday business operations — not just in big companies, but in smaller ones too. Like social media 10–15 years ago, it’s becoming a permanent part of the technology landscape. Businesses that adopt AI-based solutions now are likely to gain a lasting competitive edge in how they deliver customer service, streamline internal workflows, and achieve their business goals.
What does it cost to work with an AI Consultant?
My consulting services are designed to be flexible and accessible, whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale. You won’t be locked into expensive retainers or tech-heavy roadmaps. Prices are based on your needs and what you actually want to achieve. You can start with a simple audit, a one-off strategy session, or a short-term project — all at a reasonable price.
How do I know if AI is right for my business?
If you’re looking to save time, reduce repetitive work, improve customer experiences, or simply explore new ways to run your business more efficiently, it’s worth a conversation. Whether you’re curious about automation tools, artificial intelligence tools, or just want someone to explain what’s possible, I’ll give you clear, honest guidance tailored to your situation.