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AI for strategy? Good luck deciphering the buzzword ‘trendslop’

The Australian Financial Review

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Date Published
6 Apr 2026
Priority Score
1
Australian
Yes
Created
6 Apr 2026, 04:00 am

Authors (1)

Description

Researchers have found artificial intelligence tools have become fixated on “differentiation” over “cost leadership”, and struggle to provide coherent advice.

Summary

Recent findings indicate that generative AI tools often produce 'trendslop'—incoherent or repetitive strategic advice—rather than high-level business judgment. The analysis suggests that while AI shows a bias toward 'differentiation' strategies over 'cost leadership', it currently lacks the sophisticated reasoning required to replace senior human strategy consultants. This indicates a current performance ceiling for frontier AI models in complex, multi-variable decision-making environments, though it highlights potential systemic risks if businesses over-rely on flawed automated strategic outputs.

Body

CompaniesProfessional ServicesAIPrint articleApr 6, 2026 – 12.00pmStrategy consultants of the world, rejoice!Despite claims by artificial intelligence influencers across LinkedIn that the technology will soon replace consultants at firms such as McKinsey, researchers have found that generative AI struggles to replace the big, beautiful brains and business judgment of experienced strategy advisers.Loading...SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreAIConsultingStrategy consultingMcKinseyAnalysisOpinionFetching latest articles