PwC to Certify Employees in Critical Thinking Amid AI Advancements

PwC is launching a certification program in the US and Mexico to enhance employees’ critical thinking and judgment skills. This initiative targets over 85,000 staff across the company’s US and Mexico offices and Acceleration Centers, according to Yolanda Seals-Coffield, PwC US’s chief people and inclusion officer. This program will commence in December.

Seals-Coffield emphasizes the necessity of new skill development methods due to AI’s growing role in tasks like research, writing, and analysis, which previously developed critical thinking skills through repetitive tasks.

First-year associates now tackle different responsibilities than they did two years ago. PwC’s analysis of job listings highlights that entry-level roles influenced by AI now require skills traditionally associated with senior-level positions, such as judgment and leadership.

PwC has pinpointed 15 AI skills and 15 human skills such as empathy and adaptability to distinguish employees. The certification focuses on critical thinking and judgment, considered essential by the company.

In an era where AI performs more tasks, PwC aims to create a framework enabling employees to evaluate information, set context, challenge assumptions, improve analysis, and communicate recommendations effectively.

Training for Critical Thinking

Participants will undergo an assessment to gauge their thinking style, aiming to align this with their judgment capabilities. The aim is to identify natural strengths and focus areas for improvement.

The company is collaborating with professors and experienced PwC staffers to develop courses for enhancing thinking skills. Employees will then apply these skills in “realistic simulations.” An AI coach will further assist in applying these skills to everyday tasks, such as practicing difficult conversations or preparing for meetings.

The AI coach allows employees to refine client meeting preparations through proposals and anticipate questions. Customized content will align with employees’ seniority levels, focusing on responsible AI usage and professional skepticism.

Skill Assessment and Certification Details

The program will unfold in stages, allowing lessons to be integrated into daily work before evaluating the skills in performance reviews. The certification aims to be completed by June 2027, not as a traditional exam but by cultivating repeatable skills and assessment opportunities.

Seals-Coffield notes a broadening of hiring perspectives within PwC. The company now hires more engineers and technologists, extending beyond the advisory business into tax and assurance divisions as well.

PwC remains active in campus recruitment, making offers to many summer interns, although it hasn’t provided specific hiring figures year-over-year. Upon completing the certification, the AI coach will deliver ongoing instructional content aligned with evolving needs.

Employees will have their AI and human skills evaluated regularly throughout their careers, sustaining proficiency in line with organizational updates.