Chief People and Inclusion Officer, PwC US

Key takeaways:

• PwC is investing in critical thinking and judgment skills as AI transforms work. As AI takes on more foundational tasks, PwC is introducing a new Critical Thinking & Judgment Certificate program to help more than 85,000 partners and employees strengthen the human capabilities essential to quality work and trust.
• The program provides a practical approach to developing sound judgment. Built around PwC's proprietary Critical Thinking & Judgment framework, the learning experience will combine diagnostics, masterclasses, personalized simulations and on-the-job tools to help professionals evaluate information, challenge assumptions and make informed decisions.
• PwC is extending its investment to the next generation of professionals. Beginning in early 2027, PwC plans to make its proprietary framework available to universities and support selected institutions in developing educational materials that help students strengthen critical thinking and judgment skills.

For generations, professionals have built judgment by doing the work - researching, analyzing, questioning assumptions, and learning from mistakes. As AI takes on more of these foundational tasks, it's changing how people develop the critical thinking and judgment skills that remain essential to quality work and trust. This shift underscores the importance of creating more intentional opportunities to practice and strengthen these capabilities.

That's why today, PwC is announcing a new Critical Thinking & Judgment Certificate program for more than 85,000 partners and employees, alongside a commitment to make our proprietary framework available to any university to help prepare future professionals for an increasingly AI-enabled world.

Beginning in December 2026, we'll roll out the learning experience across our US, Mexico, and our Acceleration Centers offices, with completion targeted by June 2027. Our goal is to give our people a practical, repeatable approach to evaluating information, challenging assumptions, and exercising sound judgment - particularly when AI is involved.

Strengthening and practicing human judgment

We've developed our own proprietary Critical Thinking & Judgment framework, which we're continuing to validate with input from leading academic experts, including professors affiliated with the Wharton School and Harvard University. Building on PwC's 175-year history of professional skepticism and sound judgment, the framework is designed to help professionals navigate complex decisions, establish context, challenge information and assumptions, and communicate recommendations with clarity and accountability.

It begins with a diagnostic scenario that helps participants understand their thinking preferences, strengths, and opportunities for growth. They'll learn PwC's Critical Thinking & Judgment framework and apply it to practical situations. A series of focused masterclass-style videos featuring PwC leaders and external thought leaders will explore the skills that underpin sound judgment. Then, participants will have the opportunity to bring those capabilities together through personalized simulations relevant to their work.

Throughout the experience, on-the-job toolkits, team collaboration scenarios, and practical routines will help reinforce these skills in everyday work.

Extending our investment to future professionals

In early 2027, we will make our proprietary Critical Thinking & Judgment framework available to any university interested in incorporating it into teaching-helping students develop the skills to think independently, evaluate information, and make informed choices.

Through our Student Human Skills Initiative, an extension of PwC's Human Skills Project, we also plan to fund selected universities to support professors in developing educational materials that bring the framework into introductory courses. Participating educators will have access to PwC practitioner insights and resources to connect classroom learning with real-world applications.

By investing in these capabilities across our workforce and sharing our framework with universities, we're helping prepare today's professionals and future leaders to work confidently alongside AI. Because as technology continues to change how work gets done, sound human judgment will remain essential to earning trust and delivering quality work.

About PwC

At PwC, we help clients build trust and reinvent so they can turn complexity into competitive advantage. We're a tech-forward, people-empowered network with more than 360,000 people in more than 130 countries and territories. Across audit and assurance, tax and legal, deals and consulting, we help clients build, accelerate, and sustain momentum. Find out more at www.pwc.com.

AI, Alliances & Partnerships, Firmwide & Talent, PwC US