Why Ernst & Young Is Dropping $100 Million Bonuses—Just for Showing Up and Being Human (And What It Means for the Future of Work)
Ever wonder what happens when a massive accounting powerhouse puts its money where the human heart is—literally? Well, Ernst & Young just flipped the script on traditional bonuses by shelling out a staggering $100 million to reward their people for skills no AI can replicate—like adaptability, judgment, and pure old-fashioned innovation. It’s a bold reminder that even in a world dominated by algorithms and automation, there’s still enormous value in what makes us uniquely human. Imagine nominating a colleague not for crunching numbers faster than a machine, but for stepping up with empathy and creativity when it counts most. Sounds a bit like giving your “human operating system” a well-deserved upgrade, doesn’t it? As AI revenue soars, EY is making sure their most valuable asset—the people behind the screens—keep their edge. Curious how this radical shift is reshaping the future of work? LEARN MORE

Listen to this post
Accounting giant Ernst & Young will be rewarding employees for being good at the stuff AI can’t do. The firm’s U.S. division is investing $100 million this fiscal year in bonuses for employees who show human skills such as adaptability, judgment and innovation, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Employees can get small, one-off bonus payments up to $500, while people and teams who make a major impact can pocket up to $25,000, five times the previous award cap. Anyone at the firm can nominate a colleague, and there’s no ceiling on how much someone can ultimately receive.
EY isn’t the only firm rewarding human attributes. KPMG overhauled its audit internship training this summer to emphasize critical thinking, and PwC rolled out a curriculum built around empathy and creativity alongside AI skills.
“This isn’t a problem that can be solved with a training course or a single program,” says Ginnie Carlier, EY Americas’ chief talent and culture officer. “It’s going to take a sustainable, radical change.”
The irony? The AI industry is driving real growth at EY, with AI-related revenue up 30% year-over-year in 2025. The firm just wants to make sure the humans using it still know how to think.
Accounting giant Ernst & Young will be rewarding employees for being good at the stuff AI can’t do. The firm’s U.S. division is investing $100 million this fiscal year in bonuses for employees who show human skills such as adaptability, judgment and innovation, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Employees can get small, one-off bonus payments up to $500, while people and teams who make a major impact can pocket up to $25,000, five times the previous award cap. Anyone at the firm can nominate a colleague, and there’s no ceiling on how much someone can ultimately receive.
EY isn’t the only firm rewarding human attributes. KPMG overhauled its audit internship training this summer to emphasize critical thinking, and PwC rolled out a curriculum built around empathy and creativity alongside AI skills.
“This isn’t a problem that can be solved with a training course or a single program,” says Ginnie Carlier, EY Americas’ chief talent and culture officer. “It’s going to take a sustainable, radical change.”
The irony? The AI industry is driving real growth at EY, with AI-related revenue up 30% year-over-year in 2025. The firm just wants to make sure the humans using it still know how to think.




Post Comment