Ernst & Young announced on Monday, August 31, 2026, that it plans to award $100 million in bonuses to employees who demonstrate "human skills." The consulting firm stated the rewards will focus on leadership, judgment, business acumen, and the ability to adapt as the industry increasingly incorporates artificial intelligence (AI).
The investment is part of an effort by the firm's U.S. division to attract talent in what it describes as a "tech-led, human-powered world." The firm noted that while it will continue to reward the adoption of new technology, it is placing emphasis on behaviors that complement automated systems.
Dante D'Egidio, EY Americas CEO and U.S. managing partner, said in a statement that the complexity of current industry changes requires "confident leadership." He stated that the bonuses are intended to recognize the specific skills and behaviors needed to serve clients and build a future workforce.
The program affects the workforce of one of the "Big Four" management consulting firms, specifically targeting employees within its U.S. division. The scale of the investment is $100 million, a figure allocated to reward specific interpersonal and cognitive traits such as innovation, collaboration, and experimentation with AI.
The program establishes a precedent for how large professional services firms balance the use of AI with human labor. It addresses a broader economic trend where experts suggest AI may replace rote or entry-level tasks, making human-centric roles more critical.
The source did not report a specific date for when the first bonuses will be distributed or the exact number of employees eligible for the funds. EY has not yet detailed the specific metrics it will use to measure "human skills" for these payouts.