June 24, 2025
Robert Newcombe’s journey from a decade in process improvement to launching AI-First Consulting is a testament to the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and entrepreneurship in today’s world. We had the opportunity to speak with Robert about his path to AI-First Consulting and how it has helped companies integrate AI into their businesses. A self-described “industrial engineer at heart,” Robert spent over 10 years helping organizations optimize processes and drive continuous improvement. Things changed in late 2022 when ChatGPT launched and opened his eyes to AI’s potential.
“When ChatGPT came out, I thought ‘Wow, this is a game changer.’ I just knew we had to start using it and help others do the same,” Robert Newcombe explains.
Twelve months later, Robert left his role at Barrington Consulting to launch what was originally called Newcombe Consulting. In early 2024, he rebranded to AI-First Consulting, signifying the company’s mission to help clients not just adopt new tools, but fundamentally rethink how work gets done.
Foundations of AI-First Consulting
At its core, AI-First Consulting isn’t just about technology. It’s about people and processes. Robert’s approach is developed from his belief that AI readiness is an organizational shift, not a temporary addition.
“It’s not the technology that’s hard, it’s the change management,” Newcombe adds.
From his experience in Lean Six Sigma and industrial engineering, Robert brings a practical, systems-level view to AI adoption. Instead of treating AI like an IT project, he sees it as a cultural shift that demands curiosity, experimentation, and alignment with the organization’s vision. A major part of Robert’s mission is to reframe how businesses think about AI.
“It’s less about the tools themselves and more about how you’re using them; where, when, and why. It’s about the activities, the processes, and making sure everything is aligned with your strategy,” He describes.
Signature Offering: The AI-First Accelerator Program
At the heart of AI-First Consulting’s services is the AI-First Accelerator, a 13-week program built to transform organizational readiness for AI. Not only will you learn to implement new tools, but your company will adapt AI into the DNA of the organization so it becomes a natural extension of how work gets done.
The program’s structure is anchored in three core pillars:
Leaders: Setting the vision and ensuring alignment across the organization.
The Lab: Forming a guiding coalition or task force that experiments with use cases and paves the way for broader adoption.
Labour: Empowering every team member with the skills, mindset, and tools to succeed with AI.
“We’ve found that the larger an organization gets, the more important it is to have everyone aligned and equipped for change,” Newcombe adds.
This structured approach allows clients to move beyond experimentation and toward real, lasting change. Turning AI from a quick use into a driver of better, smarter work.
Target Sectors: From Associations to Nonprofits
AI-First Consulting works with a diverse range of clients, tailoring its services to the unique challenges and opportunities of each sector. For associations and sector councils, the focus is on equipping them to deliver AI literacy and practical training to their member organizations. Knowledge workers, such as consultants, lawyers, and engineers, benefit from streamlined digital workflows and smarter knowledge sharing. In the manufacturing and food processing sectors, AI-First Consulting helps create continuous improvement principles beyond the factory floor to include back-office and administrative tasks.
Nonprofits and social impact organizations, often with smaller teams and limited resources, learn how to wear multiple hats more effectively using AI as a productivity booster. As Newcombe puts it, “Each sector has different needs, but the fundamentals are the same: aligning people, processes, and policy to make AI adoption as smooth and impactful as possible.”
Looking Ahead
Robert sees a rapidly evolving future where AI agents take on even more work including autonomously performing tasks, scouring data, and delivering actionable insights. Recognizing the importance of leadership in this transformation, he’s also exploring dedicated AI leadership cohorts to foster peer learning and experimentation.
“Now’s the time. Even if you’re not building automation yet, the best way to learn is to try.” He explains.
“AI is changing fast. You don’t have to do it alone.”
Learn more about AI First Consulting: https://www.ai-first.ca/