Accenture (NYSE: ACN) announced a collaboration with Microsoft to launch a forward deployed engineering practice aimed at helping organizations design, build, and operationalize artificial intelligence across their enterprises.

The practice will combine Microsoft's AI platform capabilities with Accenture's industry expertise to address what the companies identify as a key challenge in enterprise AI implementation. According to the announcement, most enterprise AI initiatives encounter obstacles due to insufficient engineering expertise rather than technology limitations.

"AI value does not come from technology access but from the ability to convert it into sustained business impact," said Manish Sharma, chief strategy and services officer at Accenture. "Enterprise AI succeeds when strategy and engineering operate as one."

The collaboration will bring together AI-skilled engineers from both companies to work directly with clients. Microsoft will provide platform technology and innovation, while Accenture will handle change management, process redesign, industry workflows, and global deployment.

"What customers are asking us for is a clear path to business outcomes powered by AI," said Nick Parker, executive vice president and chief business officer at Microsoft.

Joint teams will work with clients using Microsoft's Frontier Suite products and established accelerators. The companies state the practice aims to help move AI implementations from initial concepts to production in days rather than months.

The new practice builds on the existing strategic partnership between Accenture and Microsoft. The companies indicated the practice will serve as a pathway for enterprise AI transformation for their client base.