[Back to Blog](https://www.elevateaiconsulting.com/blog) # Elevate AI Consulting CEO Thiago Ferreira Featured Guest in Consulting Leaders Podcast Thiago E. FerreiraFebruary 9, 2026Company NewsAI StrategyAI LiteracyThiago Ferreira, CEO of Elevate AI Consulting, featured on Consulting Leaders Podcast discussing real AI adoption for SMBs ### TL;DRShort Answer I was featured on the Consulting Leaders Podcast discussing practical AI adoption for SMBs. AI should be used to upskill teams, not reduce headcount. Most companies overestimate their AI proficiency. Real AI implementation requires training, workflow integration, and ROI focus. Small businesses can compete with enterprise firms using AI strategically. Listen to the full episode above. I recently had the opportunity to join the **Consulting Leaders Podcast**, hosted by **Guillaume Jouvencel** (ex-PwC), to talk about something I care deeply about: Not AI hype. Not enterprise theater. Not workforce reduction. But **real, measurable AI adoption** for small and mid-sized businesses. In this episode, we discussed: - Why most AI conversations ignore 95% of businesses - The difference between AI literacy and AI fluency - Why "we already use ChatGPT" is usually a false signal - How SMBs can use AI to level the playing field against larger firms - Why ROI must come before tool obsession - And why Elevate AI Consulting refuses to lead with layoffs ## 🎧 Watch or listen below [Consulting Leaders Podcast: Thiago Ferreira on AI Adoption for SMBs | Elevate AI Consulting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llhGZG5kd_g) **📺 [Watch on YouTube →](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llhGZG5kd_g)** **🎧 [Listen on Apple Podcasts →](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-consultants-can-help-clients-adopt-ai-that-actually/id1714675768?i=1000748886281)** **🎧 [Listen on Spotify →](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gJO7sNq8XznfVfM0pOjTX)** ## The Core Theme: AI Should Make Your People Stronger, Not Smaller One of the central ideas we explored is this: *If your AI strategy starts with "How many people can we cut?" We are not the right partner for you.* AI, when implemented properly, is a **multiplier of human capability**. It is not a replacement strategy. For small and mid-sized companies especially, AI represents something powerful: A chance to compete with enterprise-level organizations using smarter workflows, automation, and search visibility. That's how we approach it at Elevate AI Consulting. Not tool-first. Not fear-based. **ROI-first. Human-first.** ## The Real Bottleneck in AI Adoption Most organizations are not struggling because AI is complicated. They're struggling because AI is **deceptively simple**. If someone can ask ChatGPT to rewrite an email, they assume they're "good at AI." But basic usage is not strategic adoption. In the episode, we talked about: - Why AI training is still necessary - Why prompting skill changes output quality dramatically - Why workflow integration matters more than experimentation - Why executives need shared language around AI The gap is not access to tools. The gap is **structured capability**. That's what we solve. ## Why This Conversation Matters Right Now We are entering the next phase of AI. The novelty phase is over. Now leadership teams are asking: - Where is the ROI? - What efficiencies are real? - What does this change inside our organization? - Are we behind? This episode addresses those questions directly. If you are a consultant, executive, or founder navigating AI strategy, this conversation will resonate. ## Watch or Listen **📺 [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llhGZG5kd_g)** **🎧 [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-consultants-can-help-clients-adopt-ai-that-actually/id1714675768?i=1000748886281)** **🎧 [Listen on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gJO7sNq8XznfVfM0pOjTX)** If you're interested in how we help organizations adopt AI with an ROI-first, human-first approach, explore our [AI consulting services](https://www.elevateaiconsulting.com/services), check out our [case studies](https://www.elevateaiconsulting.com/case-studies), or [**book a free consultation**](https://calendar.app.google/VJShgLxGQL7SJAsaA) to discuss how we can help your organization. Elevate AI Consulting CEO Thiago Ferreira featured on Consulting Leaders Podcast Elevate AI Consulting CEO Thiago Ferreira — Consulting Leaders Podcast (Guillaume Jouvencel, ex-PwC) ## Frequently Asked Questions How can small businesses compete with enterprise firms using AI? By leveraging AI tools for automation, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), AI-enhanced marketing and operations, faster experimentation, and workflow redesign. AI levels the playing field when implemented correctly. What is an AI Training Bootcamp? Our AI Training Bootcamp is a two-day intensive program designed to shift behavior, build real AI use cases inside teams, and deliver measurable efficiency gains immediately. What is Elevate AI Consulting's approach to AI? We focus on immediate return on investment, workforce upskilling, AI workflow integration, custom AI use cases, and ethical and practical adoption. We do not focus on headcount reduction strategies. What is the Consulting Leaders Podcast? Consulting Leaders is a podcast hosted by Guillaume Jouvencel (ex-PwC) focused on the business of consulting, client acquisition, delivery strategy, and scaling professional services practices. What topics were discussed in this episode? We discussed AI adoption for small and mid-sized businesses, ROI-driven AI implementation, workforce upskilling, differentiation in the AI consulting market, and how consultants can position themselves in a crowded AI landscape. Who is this episode for? SMB founders and CEOs, senior managers leading AI initiatives, HR and L&D leaders, consultants building AI practices, and anyone evaluating AI implementation strategy. Why is AI adoption difficult for small businesses? Because leadership often overestimates team AI proficiency, usage is often limited to basic ChatGPT prompts, there is no structured training, AI is not integrated into workflows, and ROI expectations are unclear. ## Related Posts [Elevate AI CEO Quoted in TechRadar: What AI Experts Think Will Matter Most in 2026 ### Elevate AI CEO Quoted in TechRadar: What AI Experts Think Will Matter Most in 2026 Thiago E. Ferreira, CEO of Elevate AI Consulting, was quoted in TechRadar on trust, proof over performance, and AI literacy in 2026. Read the full expert roundup. February 3, 2026](https://www.elevateaiconsulting.com/post/elevate-ai-ceo-quoted-techradar-2026-ai-experts)[Every Week, 7 to 10 People Book a Call With Us Because AI Recommended Us ### Every Week, 7 to 10 People Book a Call With Us Because AI Recommended Us We book 7-10 calls a week from leads who found us on ChatGPT and Claude. Here is what that says about AI search and your business. July 27, 2026](https://www.elevateaiconsulting.com/post/ai-search-referrals-icebreaker)[From SEO to AEO: How to Dominate AI Search | eMerge Americas 2026 Masterclass Full Video and Recap ### From SEO to AEO: How to Dominate AI Search | eMerge Americas 2026 Masterclass Full Video and Recap Full eMerge Americas 2026 masterclass recap and video: from SEO to AEO, seven core components, mistakes to avoid, and practical next steps. May 7, 2026](https://www.elevateaiconsulting.com/post/from-seo-to-aeo-masterclass-full-video-recap-emerge-americas-2026)