EY Sets Aside $100M to Reward Human Skills AI Cannot Replicate

EY bets big on uniquely human capabilities

Ernst & Young's U.S. operations has earmarked $100 million for a bonus program designed to reward employees who excel at skills artificial intelligence cannot replicate, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

The initiative represents a departure from what some have termed "tokenmaxxing"—the practice of measuring and incentivizing AI usage as a primary performance metric. Instead, EY is focusing compensation on distinctly human capabilities including adaptability, innovation, and judgment.

The program offers spot awards up to $500 for individuals, with cash prizes reaching $25,000 for employees and teams that deliver material impact to the firm or its clients. There is no cap on total earnings per employee through the program, and staff can nominate colleagues across the organization.

How the program works

The $100 million allocation covers EY's current fiscal year. According to The Wall Street Journal, the firm will recognize both the development of irreplaceable human skills and experimentation with AI tools—a balanced approach that acknowledges technology's role without making it the sole focus.

Ginnie Carlier, chief talent and culture officer for EY Americas, told the outlet that the challenge requires more than surface-level training. "This isn't a problem that can be solved with a training course or a single program; it's going to take a sustainable, radical change," she said.

The program aims to identify and reinforce the skills and behaviors EY considers most critical to its future and that of its clients.

Why it matters

As organizations rush to integrate AI, many are discovering that maximizing tool usage doesn't automatically translate to business value. EY's approach signals a maturation in how large enterprises think about AI adoption—recognizing that human judgment, creativity, and interpersonal skills become more valuable, not less, as routine cognitive tasks become automated. For professional services firms competing on expertise and client relationships, this distinction could determine competitive advantage in an AI-saturated market.

A counterpoint to usage-focused metrics

The tokenmaxxing trend emerged as companies sought quantifiable ways to track AI adoption. The term refers to maximizing the number of AI tokens—units measuring software usage—that employees consume. While this approach provides clear metrics, critics argue it incentivizes activity over outcomes.

EY's program doesn't entirely reject AI metrics but subordinates them to human skill development. The firm is betting that employees who strengthen judgment and adaptability will ultimately deploy AI more effectively than those simply chasing usage numbers.

The Wall Street Journal first reported details of the bonus program and its structure.