Hey Chicago — you’re here, probably clicking through a few city pages, seeing who pops up. And you’re thinking, "Another AI consultant, great." I get it. The internet’s full of 'em, all promising the moon. But I’m not really a 'them.' I’m just me, A.I. Consulting LLC, and I help businesses in Chicago, Illinois figure out how to actually use their data to make things better, or build a machine learning model that does something useful.
I’m not gonna pretend to be some giant firm with a thousand 'experts.' It’s just me, a guy who’s been elbow-deep in data for a good while, and I like building things that solve real problems. So if you’re looking for someone who speaks plain English, isn’t afraid to say 'I don’t know that yet, but I can find out,' and actually delivers, you’re in the right place. Let’s talk about getting some real work done for your business.
## What I actually do for Chicago clients
When a Chicago client comes to me, they usually have some kind of data, and they know it could be doing more. Maybe they’ve got sales figures they want to predict, or customer service tickets they want to categorize automatically, or a stack of invoices they want to process faster. I come in and help them build a custom machine learning model for that specific problem, or set up a data science workflow to get insights they can actually act on. Think things like predictive maintenance schedules, automated lead scoring, or even just cleaning up messy datasets so they’re usable for analysis.
I focus on practical applications. I’m not gonna sell you some abstract 'AI strategy' document that gathers dust. I'm interested in building a working pilot, a dashboard that gives you answers, or a piece of automation that saves you hours every week. I build the model, I help you get it into production, and I make sure you understand what it’s doing and why. It’s about making your data work harder for your Chicago business, without overcomplicating things.
## How a Chicago engagement usually goes
1. **Discovery Call & Initial Scope (1 week):** We’ll have a quick 20-minute chat to see if there’s a basic fit. If so, I’ll send over a short questionnaire to get more details on your data and problem. Then we’ll do a more in-depth call to really dig into what you're trying to achieve and what data you have. I'll then put together a preliminary project scope and a rough estimate. This stage is all about making sure we’re both on the same page and that I can actually help you. I’m not gonna take on something I don’t think I can deliver on.
2. **Data Deep Dive & Technical Design (2-3 weeks):** If the initial scope looks good, I’ll need access to your data (securely, of course) and perhaps a few more conversations with folks on your team. I’ll spend this time understanding the nuances of your data, cleaning it up if needed, and designing the technical architecture for the machine learning model or data science solution. This is where I figure out the best approach, what tools to use, and how to build something robust that fits your needs.
3. **Development & Iteration (4-8 weeks, project dependent):** This is where I actually build the solution. I’ll keep you updated regularly, showing you progress and getting your feedback. My approach is pretty iterative; we'll refine the model or analysis as we go, making sure it aligns perfectly with your business goals. I want you to see the value emerging, not just wait until the very end.
4. **Deployment & Handoff (1-2 weeks):** Once the solution is built and validated, I’ll help you get it into production. This might involve setting up automated data pipelines, integrating with your existing systems, or simply providing you with the cleaned data and analysis reports. I’ll make sure you understand how everything works and that you’re comfortable using it. My goal is to leave you with a working solution and the knowledge to maintain it, not just a bunch of code you don't understand.
## What it costs, roughly
I usually work on a fixed-fee project basis for clearly defined scopes. This way, you know upfront what you're paying, and there are no surprises. For smaller, more focused projects – think a pilot machine learning model or a specific data automation task – you're generally looking at **$15,000 to $30,000**. For more complex engagements that might involve multiple models, extensive data integration, or a longer engagement, the range typically falls between **$30,000 and $75,000+**. Every project is different, obviously, so these are just rough numbers to give you a ballpark idea. The actual quote will depend on the scope, complexity, and how much data wrangling is involved.
## Who I'm usually NOT a fit for
I’m pretty upfront about this, because I want to make sure I’m a good use of your time. If you're a really large corporation looking for a consulting firm with hundreds of employees, a sprawling sales team, and a dozen layers of management, I’m probably not your guy. I’m also not the right fit if you just want to 'do AI' without a clear business problem in mind, or if you expect a magic button solution that will solve all your problems overnight. That doesn't exist, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. I work best with small to medium-sized businesses in Chicago who have a specific problem they want to solve with data, and are willing to roll up their sleeves a bit.
## Getting in touch
Ready to talk about your data and see if I can actually help? The easiest way to get started is to **book a 20-minute call** with me. We can chat about your project, your data, and what you’re hoping to achieve. No sales pressure, no obligation. Just a conversation to see if there's a fit. I look forward to hearing from you, Chicago!
FAQs — Chicago
How do I know if Machine Learning is worth it for my Chicago business?
If you have a recurring task that involves sifting through lots of data, making predictions, or identifying patterns, there's a good chance machine learning could help. We can discuss your specific situation and I can give you an honest assessment.
Do you only work with companies physically located in Chicago?
While I focus on serving the Chicago market and understand its unique business landscape, I can certainly work remotely with businesses across Illinois or even nationwide, as long as the project is a good fit.
What does the first 2 weeks of an engagement usually look like?
The first 2 weeks typically involve an in-depth discovery call to nail down your goals, followed by me reviewing your existing data to understand its quality and potential. I'll then draft a detailed technical approach and project plan.
I have sensitive data. How do you ensure its security?
Data security is paramount. I follow strict protocols, including secure data transfer methods, robust access controls, and often work directly within your secure cloud environment. We can discuss specific security measures to meet your compliance needs.
Can you help me understand my existing data better, even without building a model?
Absolutely. Sometimes, just cleaning, organizing, and visualizing your data through data science techniques can provide immense value and reveal insights you didn't know were there. I can definitely help with data exploration and reporting.