In this Q&A, Boston Senior Associate Lucie Gildehaus shares her journey into L.E.K. and her involvement in the firm's internal Gen AI transformation initiatives. She discusses how AI@LEK is enhancing daily work processes, improving efficiency, and driving creativity, while also addressing common misconceptions about AI’s role in the future of consulting.
Tell me a bit about yourself and how you came to be at L.E.K.
I grew up outside of Boston in Concord, MA. I went to high school there and then attended Princeton University for undergrad. I played lacrosse and studied psychology and history, with a specific focus on human decision-making and behavioral economics. During college, I completed a few internships in marketing and consulting, and I heard many great things about L.E.K. I was interested in consulting because it provided an excellent jumping-off point to explore different industries and develop a wide range of skills. Plus, I wanted exposure to some great role models, and L.E.K. seemed like the perfect place for that.
How did you become part of the L.E.K. Gen AI Transformation team?
I had previously expressed interest in AI and digital technologies, especially in the realm of AI. As it happened, a project came up that matched my interests and skill set, and I had communicated my interest to the staffing team. I joined the internal Gen AI transformation project at its inception, so I’ve had the chance to experience the entire journey from start to finish. It’s been incredibly exciting and rewarding because I’ve been able to implement changes and actually see them come to life within the firm. It’s been quite different from normal casework, but I’ve loved it!
Can you tell me more about AI@LEK and its initiatives?
Yes, definitely. We have several initiatives underway. The one I’ve been most involved in is playbook writing, which are essentially "how-to" guides for using Gen AI to support various tasks. We’ve identified a wide range of use cases across L.E.K., from proposal development to case closing, and everything in between. The goal is to make our work easier, faster, and more efficient with Gen AI. We’re building a playbook library that covers all major workstreams and tasks at L.E.K., so anyone at the firm can use AI to improve their work.
Another exciting initiative is our ambassador program. We reached out to each sector and core service group to find people passionate about AI. We brought colleagues from across the globe into the program to help drive playbook creation and generate new ideas. They also communicate with their peer groups to get more people involved, which is really exciting.
How has AI helped you in your day-to-day work?
One of the main ways Gen AI has helped me is by improving my writing and communication. Gen AI has powerful natural writing capabilities, so I use it when I need to make an email, report, or bullet points more concise and impactful. It’s helped me become a better writer, and I feel like it’s elevated my communication overall. Honestly, it’s like having a second pair of eyes to polish things up, and it frees up time for the more rewarding and strategic parts of the work I do.
How is L.E.K. leveraging AI to enhance its services and the work we do internally?
We’re exploring how large language models (LLMs) can be integrated into our playbooks to support day-to-day tasks. One key way Gen AI is helping is by freeing up time for higher-level strategic thinking. For example, we’re using Gen AI to distill insights from large amounts of industry data, such as market trends or client information. It automates that process, allowing us to focus more on creative problem-solving and client relationships. The more mundane tasks are taken care of faster and more efficiently, which is a game changer. One analogy we like to use is that AI is like an electric bike for your mind—it pushes you along and augments your ability, but you’re still in control. Your judgment, perspectives, and knowledge remain in the driver’s seat.
How do you foster creativity and innovation within the internal Gen AI transformation team?
We definitely foster creativity through collaboration. We have several workstreams—some focus on change management, others on playbook writing, data augmentation, tool exploration, and so on. Each of us brings expertise in our specific area, but we meet daily to share insights and brainstorm. The workstreams are highly interconnected, so it’s great to get different perspectives from teammates. This multidisciplinary approach sparks creativity because we’re constantly learning from each other and pushing new ideas forward.