Vijay Shekhar Sharma, CEO, Paytm, sparked discussion online after taking a dig at consulting giant McKinsey & Company, which has reportedly reduced its workforce by over 5,000 in the past 18 months. Sharing a news article highlighting the decline, Sharma kind of mocked by suggesting that artificial intelligence, not traditional consultants, is now the go-to expert.
His post implied that tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly replacing traditional advisory roles, sparking debate on AI’s impact on high-skilled industries.
The remark drew attention as it aligned with growing concerns across sectors about AI’s potential to usurp white-collar professions—especially management consulting, which has historically been seen as resistant to automation. The post quickly drew comments from many who see generative AI as both a productivity enhancer and a disruptive force.
In response to all the buzz, McKinsey issued a formal clarification. The firm stated that the reduction in its global headcount—from about 45,000 employees at the end of 2023 to around 40,000 in mid-2025—was not the result of large-scale job cuts. Instead, McKinsey attributed the change to natural attrition and performance-based transitions, which is part of its standard workforce- planning process.
Despite the clarification, the situation highlights the growing pressure on consulting firms to evolve. As clients increasingly demand faster, technology-enabled insights, firms are reassessing their talent models and operational structures.
Sharma’s comment also comes at a time when Paytm itself is undergoing restructuring. The company recently trimmed its sales team following regulatory actions against its payments bank, further underlining how both legacy and digital firms are dealing with challenging transitions in the age of automation.
