Ernst & Young Allocates $100 Million for Bonuses Focused on Human Skills
Ernst & Young's U.S. division has announced a $100 million investment in bonuses aimed at rewarding employees who demonstrate adaptability, innovation, and judgment—skills deemed essential to leveraging AI effectively within the firm. The program includes spot awards of up to $500 per individual and larger cash prizes for significant contributions, with no overall cap on how much an employee can receive. The initiative is part of a broader strategy by EY Americas to reshape talent development across all career levels. It also emphasizes AI experimentation alongside human skills, reflecting the firm's long-term commitment to cultural transformation in response to technological change. The move aligns with similar efforts at other professional services firms like KPMG and PwC U.S., which are also integrating critical thinking and creativity into their training programs as AI becomes more prevalent. EY reported a 30% year-over-year increase in AI-related revenue for 2025, underscoring the growing importance of these initiatives. The firm is also shifting toward output-based pricing models to reflect efficiency gains from AI adoption.
