Since the beginning of the year, one topic has dominated nearly every strategic discussion I’ve been part of: the impact of AI on services. From boardrooms to market reports, the conversation is everywhere. The big consulting firms are publishing surveys with executive feedback, and yet, one central theme remains: AI is going to change how we work. That much is certain. But the real questions are—how, how much, and how fast?

Let’s start with how it will change things.

We already know AI is accelerating workflows and introducing new tools into our day-to-day. From ChatGPT and Gemini to industry-specific solutions like Cursor, AI is becoming part of our reality. And beyond that, the rise of autonomous agents capable of automating tasks—and even decision-making—is reshaping how services are delivered.

Now, how much will services change?

Opinions vary. Some predict rapid replacement of roles like software and data engineers, arguing that AI will take over entirely. Others believe AI will handle routine tasks, empowering engineers to focus on what truly matters. I lean toward the second view. AI won’t eliminate demand—it will amplify it. The ability to deliver more, with less cost and greater impact, will fuel even more demand for data services.