EY Launches AI Value Realization Office to Manage Costs

Ernst & Young is establishing a new AI value realization office and hiring a head of agent economics to manage the costs and effectiveness of its AI-powered workforce. The initiative provides leadership with visibility into how AI investments drive tangible business impact and prevents the rollout from becoming siloed across different business functions.

To control expenses, the firm has implemented AI token budgets for high-use areas such as software development and integrated AI routers to direct users to the most cost-effective models. The new head of agent economics will report to Anthony Caterino, the global managing partner for business enablement.

EY is encouraging its clients to adopt similar oversight models as companies struggle to extract value from AI investments and face rising costs from usage-based pricing models. The firm aims to create a centralized unit capable of managing an agentic workforce that traditional HR, tech, or finance functions are not equipped to handle.