EY to award $100 million in bonuses to workers who demonstrate people skills

Ernst & Young plans to put $100 million in bonuses behind a simple idea: as artificial intelligence expands, workers still need skills that machines cannot easily replicate.

The consulting firm said Monday that it will reward employees who demonstrate leadership, judgment, business acumen, collaboration and adaptability. EY also plans to recognize technology adoption, but its emphasis remains on developing human capabilities.

Dante D’Egidio, EY Americas CEO and U.S. managing partner, said the industry’s rapid and increasingly complex changes require confident leadership. “This significant investment reinforces our commitment to building the workforce of the future by recognizing the skills and behaviors needed to lead our profession and serve our clients with excellence,” he said in a statement.

The compensation plan forms part of EY’s effort to attract talent for what it calls a “tech-led, human-powered world.” Economists have warned that AI could eliminate some rote and entry-level jobs while creating new opportunities. They have also said workers most at risk of being left behind will be those who do not learn to use AI to improve their productivity.

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The pace and complexity of change in our industry require confident leadership. This significant investment reinforces our commitment to building the workforce of the future by recognizing the skills and behaviors needed to lead our profession and serve our clients with excellence.