Athena Infonomics - Senior AI Product & Strategy Consultant

Description :

Discovery Identifying Solvable, High-Impact AI Use Cases :

Design Developing Operational Roadmaps and High-Potential Use Cases :

The Senior AI Product & Strategy Consultant will be responsible for conducting immersive field research with MSMEs, translating sectoral insights into high-impact AI use cases, prioritization frameworks, and actionable adoption strategies. Key responsibilities include :

- Lead the development of research frameworks, tools, and methodologies aligned with project objectives.

- Lead inception-stage planning, including refinement of research questions, stakeholder mapping, and fieldwork plans.

- Engage in extensive field immersion to develop first-hand understanding of MSME operations, constraints, and decision-making contexts.

- Engage directly with enterprise owners, managers, workers, technology providers, and ecosystem actors.

- Conduct interviews, focus group discussions, and contextual inquiries to capture operational challenges, pain points, and AI adoption readiness. This role involves extensive field immersion throughout the engagement period. The consultant is expected to spend at least 80% of the consultancy duration in the field, visiting assigned geographies and sectoral stakeholders.

- Map MSME stakeholders, business processes, and operational touchpoints to visualize workflows, decision pathways, and opportunities for AI adoption.

- Interpret and build upon qualitative insights to inform AI product and use-case strategy.

- Identify operational bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and decision points where AI solutions can create measurable value.

- Frame AI problem statements that are grounded in MSME realities and sectoral contexts.

- Lead the strategic identification, framing, and refinement of AI use cases across textiles, electronics, and pharmaceuticals (including MedTech).

- Evaluate use cases against criteria such as impact potential, feasibility, scalability, and adoption readiness.

- Prioritise use cases across enterprise sizes and geographies, accounting for differences in digital maturity and resource constraints. Ensure use cases remain solvable, implementable, and relevant to MSMEs rather than aspirational or overly complex.

- Assess data availability, data quality, and instrumentation requirements for priority AI use cases.

- Define high-level AI / ML approaches and solution concepts without engaging in model development or coding.

- Identify dependencies, constraints, and risks that could affect implementation and scale.

- Engage with technology providers and ecosystem actors to validate feasibility assumptions where required.

- Develop clear costbenefit and value propositions for shortlisted AI use cases.

- Assess adoption costs, operational efficiencies, productivity gains, and potential ROI for MSMEs.

- Articulate value in language that resonates with MSME decision-makers, policymakers, and institutional stakeholders.

- Design operational roadmaps outlining phases, timelines, resource needs, and success metrics for AI adoption.

- Identify appropriate deployment and adoption models suited to MSME contexts (e.g., shared infrastructure, platform-based delivery, phased implementation).

- Align AI adoption pathways with existing policy instruments, schemes, incentives, and institutional support mechanisms.

- Anticipate adoption challenges and propose practical mitigation strategies.

- Development of governance frameworks that support ethical, responsible, and sustainable AI adoption.

- Identify risks related to data privacy, bias, transparency, workforce impact, and vendor dependence.

- Propose safeguards and governance mechanisms aligned with responsible AI principles and regulatory expectations.

- Work closely with Athena Infonomics leadership, sector specialists, Design Researchers, and other consultants.

- Provide critical thinking and strategic guidance on AI-related outputs emerging from the project.

- Prepare high-quality research reports, briefs, presentations, and materials for internal and external stakeholders.

- Participate in milestone reviews, leadership discussions, and internal quality assurance processes.

- Support cross-learning and knowledge exchange across field teams.

- Engage with senior stakeholders including industry representatives, institutional partners, and line ministries.

- Contribute to and participate in workshops, consultations, and roundtables.

- Translate complex AI and product concepts into clear, accessible outputs for non-technical audiences.

- Support dissemination of findings through presentations, briefs, and reports.

- Provide regular progress updates and flag risks, constraints, or dependencies proactively.

- Ensure timely delivery of assigned responsibilities and contributions.

- Adhere to Athena Infonomics ethical standards, data protection protocols, and confidentiality requirements.

- Maintain high standards of professionalism and integrity throughout the engagement.

Athena Infonomics :

Athena Infonomics Will Be Responsible For :

- Providing overall project governance, strategic direction, and technical oversight.

- Appointing a designated point of contact to coordinate and manage the consultancy.

- Facilitating access to relevant stakeholders, including MSMEs and sector bodies.

- Providing relevant background materials, data, and contextual inputs required for effective execution.

- Booking travel and accommodation for approved field visits and reimbursing incidental expenses on an actuals basis, in line with organisational policies.

- Reviewing deliverables and providing timely, consolidated feedback and approvals.

- Ensuring timely payments and compliance with contractual and statutory obligations.

- Providing access to any hardware and software requirements as outlined and agreed during the inception stage of the project.

- Supporting risk management and issue resolution throughout the engagement.

Qualifications :

- Masters degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI/ML, Management, Economics, or a related field.

- Additional certification or training in AI applications, digital transformation, product strategy, or design thinking is a plus.

- 10- 15 years of experience in AI, product strategy, digital transformation, or related consulting roles.

- Demonstrated experience leading AI or digital adoption initiatives, including feasibility assessments,

prioritization, and implementation planning.

- Proven track record of translating research or field insights into actionable business or operational strategies.

- Experience working with MSMEs, small businesses, or development/economic projects is highly desirable.

- Engagement with policy, institutional stakeholders, or industry associations is a plus.