The short answer.
QuantumBlack is McKinsey's AI and advanced analytics arm. Strategy, modeling, large analytics builds, and enterprise transformation backed by McKinsey's global bench. Built for Fortune 500.
Average Robot is a focused change management firm for the AI transformation of the workplace. Independent, senior-led, sized for mid-market. The deliverable is alignment across people, process, and platform - not an enterprise strategy program.
Who they are.
QuantumBlack was acquired by McKinsey in 2015 and is now its core AI capability. Strong on strategy, modeling, and large-scale analytics. Engagements are McKinsey-shaped: partner-led, large teams, structured methodology, premium pricing. Their research and case studies are published at McKinsey QuantumBlack's insights hub.
Who we are.
Average Robot is a San Francisco-based change management firm founded by Matt Perry, a former marketing and brand leader, with Rob Cannon, PhD, a behavioral scientist focused on workforce adoption of AI. We work with CMOs, CCOs, and CHROs at mid-market organizations.
Where each of us wins.
Pick QuantumBlack when
- You are Fortune 500 and the brief is enterprise AI strategy.
- You need large-scale modeling and analytics builds.
- You want McKinsey's bench and global delivery behind you.
- Budget supports seven-figure engagements.
Pick Average Robot when
- You are mid-market and need pace without enterprise overhead.
- The bottleneck is adoption inside a specific team or function.
- You want named senior people, not a McKinsey pyramid.
- Success is measured in months and four to five figure budgets.
Questions people ask.
Is Average Robot a strategy consultancy like McKinsey QuantumBlack?
No. QuantumBlack is McKinsey's AI and analytics arm, sized for Fortune 500 transformation. Average Robot is a focused mid-market change firm for AI at work. We do not run enterprise strategy programs.
When should we hire QuantumBlack instead?
When the brief is Fortune 500 AI strategy, large-scale analytics builds, or multi-year transformation backed by McKinsey's bench. Hire us when the AI spend is real but the team is stuck, and you need someone in the room in weeks, not quarters.
What is the cost difference?
Order of magnitude. QuantumBlack engagements typically run into seven figures. Average Robot engagements run from free (AI Alignment Snapshot) to $4,999+ (AI Alignment Playbook) to custom for the AI Alignment Partnership.