The technology consulting sector in Spain is undergoing a profound transformation. Major names like Capgemini, Inetum, and Vass have announced massive layoffs, and artificial intelligence (AI) is being pointed to as the main culprit. But is AI really responsible for these adjustments, or is it simply accelerating a process that was already underway?

The context of layoffs in 2025-2026

According to data collected by ComputerWorld, more than 45,000 layoffs were recorded in the global tech sector by March 2025, with 68% concentrated in the United States. In Spain, Capgemini announced an ERE that ultimately affected 710 employees (out of the initially planned 748), Inetum laid off 404 people (4.7% of its workforce), and Vass is preparing an adjustment that could reach 13% of its labor force.

Capgemini justified its restructuring based on "the acceleration of technological change" and the need to adapt to new market demands, explicitly mentioning AI as a determining factor. However, experts consulted qualify this statement.

AI as an accelerator, not the sole cause

Óscar García, Senior Director of Permanent IT Recruitment at Hays Spain, points out that "AI is accelerating a change that we had been seeing for some time." During the pandemic, consulting firms grew explosively to meet the demand for digital transformation. Now, with the market stabilized, companies are adjusting their structures to a new reality. "AI is not the only cause of the adjustments, but it is influencing how teams are organized and what profiles are needed," he adds.

José María Beneyto, President of the Spanish Association of Consulting Firms (AEC), agrees: "The business is entering a new era, that of AI, which is impacting consulting and services. These companies feel the impact of the era change sooner." According to the AEC report, the sector billed €26,635 million in 2025 and employed 298,000 professionals, doubling figures from a decade ago, although with a slowdown in growth.

Structural change in the business model

García insists that "I don't think we are experiencing a temporary situation that will disappear within a year. AI will be part of the way practically all organizations work, and that implies an evolution of many jobs." Some functions will disappear, others will change profoundly, and new opportunities will emerge.

Beneyto recalls that media outlets like The Economist or Financial Times had already warned that consulting firms' growth was unsustainable. "AI is an additional element to carry out restructurings," but not the sole cause.

In this context, consulting is shifting toward areas such as AI governance, quantum computing, edge computing, and data management. "We need many profiles capable of governing AI and other cross-cutting technologies," Beneyto states.

The role of human talent

Juan Carlos López, Dean-President of the Official College of Telecommunications Engineering (COIT), emphasizes that "technology only generates progress when people are capable of creating those technological applications and, above all, governing them." AI will be a huge change, but also an opportunity for engineers to lead the strategic definition of projects.

Beneyto adds that "behind AI there must be people. We cannot imagine a future where agents talk to each other without any human supervision or control." Continuous training is key, and consulting firms already offer updating programs. "There has never been a greater training palette," he notes.

Óscar García concludes: "AI will reduce the need for some tasks, but it will also create opportunities. What will change is the type of talent that companies will demand." Skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and business knowledge will be increasingly valued.

In short, the consulting sector is experiencing a business model change where AI acts as a catalyst, but not the sole cause. Well-trained and prepared human talent will remain essential to extract the full performance from this technology. As García aptly says, "more than replacing people, AI will change the way they work."

To delve deeper into how AI is impacting other areas, we recommend reading our analysis on Alibaba Qwen3.8 and the challenges of retrieval engineering.

Original source: ComputerWorld. Analysis and adaptation by ForgeNEX.