EY is dangling bonuses of up to $25,000 for workers who prove their human skills still matter in the age of AI

AI has made accounting cool again, as productivity gains take some of the “boring” tasks off employees’ plates and make the profession more attractive to Gen Z looking for stable, high-paying work. But the technology is also creating a new challenge for the industry: convincing clients that the human expertise behind the work is still worth paying for.

Ernst & Young is betting that it is. The Big Four professional-services giant is planning to spend $100 million to reward U.S. employees who develop “future-focused” human skills, such as business acumen, judgment and adaptability, and experiment with technology to drive innovation and improve client services. 

Individuals can earn spot awards up to $500, while individuals and teams whose work makes a material difference to the firm can receive cash awards up to $25,000, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“How we reward our people defines what we value as a firm. And what we value are confident professionals who continuously push themselves to learn fast and drive a lasting impact,” EY Americas Chief Talent and Culture Officer Ginnie Carlier said in a press release.

“With these awards, we are empowering our EY professionals to bring a curious........

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