AI Strategy
For executives and founders who need a clear, defensible point of view on where AI moves the P&L — and what to ignore. Workshops, fractional advisory, board prep.
James Perkins · Philadelphia
The Philly AI Guy.
AI & automation strategist. Founder of What About AI? and Automation Transformation Consulting. Ex-JPMorgan Chase.
About
Helping people and businesses ship real AI work — not slide decks.
James Perkins — better known as The Philly AI Guy — is a Philadelphia-based AI and automation strategist. He founded What About AI?, an audience-first AI guidance platform helping individuals navigate the AI transition, and Automation Transformation Consulting, a B2B firm that helps small and mid-sized businesses identify and implement high-leverage automation.
Before founding both companies, James spent his career inside JPMorgan Chase, where he saw firsthand how enterprise systems get built, modernized, and replaced — and where most AI initiatives quietly stall. Today he advises operators, executives, and founders on the practical work of turning AI hype into shipped systems.
The pattern he keeps seeing: leaders are spending more energy on which AI to pick than on the boring, decisive question of which problem to solve first. James's work — across coaching, consulting, advisory, and speaking — is built around answering that question.
What I do
Three practices, one throughline: find the leverage, ship the work.
Automation Implementation
For operators who are tired of "AI proof-of-concept" slide decks. Production-grade automation: agents, integrations, monitored workflows that actually run.
Speaking & Advisory
Keynotes, executive briefings, and fractional advisory. Concrete frameworks, no buzzword soup. Available for in-person Philadelphia and remote engagements.
Companies
Two companies, two audiences.
What About AI?
An audience-first AI guidance platform — newsletter, podcast, and coaching — built for the individuals trying to figure out what the AI transition means for their career, their team, and their next move.
Automation Transformation Consulting
B2B automation services for small and mid-sized businesses. We help leadership teams identify the three or four automations that pay for themselves in a quarter — and then we build them.
Frequently asked
Common questions about the Philly AI Guy.
Who is the Philly AI Guy?
The Philly AI Guy is James Perkins, a Philadelphia-based AI and automation strategist. He's the founder of What About AI? and Automation Transformation Consulting, and previously spent his career at JPMorgan Chase.
What is James Perkins's background?
James worked at JPMorgan Chase before founding two companies focused on the practical adoption of AI and automation. He now operates as The Philly AI Guy — an AI strategist, advisor, and speaker based in Philadelphia.
What is What About AI?
What About AI? is an AI guidance platform — a newsletter, podcast, and coaching program designed to help individuals adapt to the rapid changes brought on by artificial intelligence. Read more at whataboutai.com.
What does Automation Transformation Consulting do?
Automation Transformation Consulting is a B2B firm that helps small and mid-sized businesses identify high-leverage automation opportunities and implement production-grade automation systems. Read more at automationtransformationconsulting.com.
Where is the Philly AI Guy based?
James is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and serves clients across the United States both remotely and in person.
How do I work with James Perkins?
You can reach James through the contact form, by connecting on LinkedIn, or through either of his companies — What About AI? for individual coaching or Automation Transformation Consulting for B2B automation engagements.
What is James Perkins's experience in financial services?
Before founding his current companies, James spent his career at JPMorgan Chase, where he saw how enterprise systems are built, modernized, and replaced. That background informs his advisory work with banks, fintechs, and regulated industries. More on financial-services work →
What industries does the Philly AI Guy work with?
James works across industries, with concentration in financial services, professional services, and operations-heavy small and mid-sized businesses. The throughline is the same: identifying where AI and automation create real, measurable leverage.
Talk to the Philly AI Guy.
Speaking inquiry, advisory engagement, or just want to compare notes on what's working? Drop a note.