Centric Consulting: Pioneering the practical AI revolution

Kindra Helm, Centric Cleveland Director, speaks at GCP's 2024 Best of Tech Awards.

This article originally appeared at greatercle.com as part of their 2024 Best of Tech celebration.

AI is shaping the future of industries, and  is at the forefront, guiding organizations through this transformative journey with a focus on innovation, governance  and security.

“We believe AI will be the ultimate business differentiator,” says Tim Hoolihan, a leader in Centric’s AI consulting practice.

This philosophy drives Centric’s approach to AI, unlocking smarter decision-making and scalable growth. The firm’s  AI consulting services are designed to help organizations  create AI solutions that align with business strategies, ensuring ethical, secure and responsible AI adoption.

Centric Consulting’s commitment to delivering tailored solutions is evident in its 25-year legacy. Headquartered in Ohio with 1,400 employees across 14 locations in the U.S. and India, including 125 in Greater Cleveland, the firm has earned over 100 awards for its excellence. Recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Management Consulting Firms for nine years, Centric continues to set the standard in innovation and client service. They were a finalist for AI innovation for the Greater Cleveland Partnership 2024 Best of Tech awards.

Centric takes a pragmatic, results-driven approach. “There’s a lot of hype around AI,” explains Hoolihan. “We focus on practical business use cases, working backward to determine how AI can deliver measurable value.”

Their services include building custom AI solutions, crafting acceptable use policies for generative AI tools and establishing AI Centers of Excellence for governance and adoption.

One standout innovation is Centric’s pre-built AI accelerators for industries including healthcare and insurance. “We’ve developed plug-and-play modules that quickly transform unstructured data into actionable insights,” Hoolihan notes. For example, the firm helps clients analyze diverse, non-standardized documents, delivering efficiency and precision in record time.

Centric’s impact extends beyond traditional business domains. A recent collaboration with the nonprofit that supports families fostering children who have experienced trauma, demonstrates how AI can address societal challenges. Centric designed a website chatbot to provide off-hours triage, guiding caregivers with initial resources until professional help becomes available.

“We’re clear that AI is not a substitute for human counselors,” Hoolihan emphasizes. “But it can provide essential support during critical moments, making a meaningful difference.”

As AI continues to disrupt industries, businesses often grapple with both excitement and apprehension. “We see a spectrum of reactions—from enthusiasm to fear,” Hoolihan shares. He recounts a story from a client’s executive team that was initially resistant to AI but quickly recognized its ubiquity in market-leading products. “You can’t just avoid AI—it’s embedded in everything. Governance and strategy are essential to harness it effectively.”

Greater Cleveland is an ideal location to grow a tech business, he adds.

“Northeast Ohio is very supportive. AI is not solely technology, but innovation, and that is right in line with our region.”

For more information on Centric Consulting’s AI services, visit centricconsulting.com.