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Is AI Really Changing Jobs or Just Cutting Pay?
In this episode of the Human Capitalist, host Trent Cotton sits down with Cynthia Abbott Kerr, founder of WellPay, to break down the biggest headlines shaking up the consulting and HR worlds.
We start by dissecting the recent news that McKinsey is freezing entry-level salaries and potentially abandoning their famous “pyramid” hiring model due to AI. Is artificial intelligence really the culprit, or is it just a convenient excuse for a cooling market?
Cynthia also weighs in on the “AI Doom Loop” in recruiting, why trust between candidates and employers is at an all-time low, and why she believes 2026 will see a return to “pension-style” retention strategies.
About Cynthia Abott Kerr:
Cynthia Abbott Kerr is the Founder and CEO of Wellpay.ai, a firm using AI to advance fair and equitable compensation across industries. With deep expertise in HR, total rewards, and AI technology, Cynthia has built innovative compensation systems for major organizations and is dedicated to fostering workplace transparency and trust. Recognized as a Saks Women to Watch honoree and Second Harvest Food Bank volunteer, she is known for strategic vision and driving impactful change in compensation and culture. Wellpay.ai partners globally to design transparent and competitive rewards programs, enhancing employee satisfaction and inclusion.
Links Mentioned:
Article 1: https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/consulting-firms-use-ai-to-squeeze-entry-level-hires-6781876/
Article 2: https://fortune.com/2025/11/18/hiring-job-seekers-recruiters-talent-acquisition-ai-doom-loop-application-technology/
Episode with Rachel Bourne: https://youtu.be/Qs1aA8_0sd0
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:22 - Is McKinsey using AI as an excuse for salary freezes?
03:34 - Why companies are ditching expensive consultants
06:09 - The “AI Doom Loop” in Talent Acquisition
08:55 - Why managers don’t know how to interview anymore
15:57 - 2026 Predictions: Tariffs, Rate Cuts, and Retention
21:37 - The return of the “Pension Mindset”
28:36 - How to build a comp strategy in 4 weeks
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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By Trent Cotton & Purple Acorn NetworkIn this episode of the Human Capitalist, host Trent Cotton sits down with Cynthia Abbott Kerr, founder of WellPay, to break down the biggest headlines shaking up the consulting and HR worlds.
We start by dissecting the recent news that McKinsey is freezing entry-level salaries and potentially abandoning their famous “pyramid” hiring model due to AI. Is artificial intelligence really the culprit, or is it just a convenient excuse for a cooling market?
Cynthia also weighs in on the “AI Doom Loop” in recruiting, why trust between candidates and employers is at an all-time low, and why she believes 2026 will see a return to “pension-style” retention strategies.
About Cynthia Abott Kerr:
Cynthia Abbott Kerr is the Founder and CEO of Wellpay.ai, a firm using AI to advance fair and equitable compensation across industries. With deep expertise in HR, total rewards, and AI technology, Cynthia has built innovative compensation systems for major organizations and is dedicated to fostering workplace transparency and trust. Recognized as a Saks Women to Watch honoree and Second Harvest Food Bank volunteer, she is known for strategic vision and driving impactful change in compensation and culture. Wellpay.ai partners globally to design transparent and competitive rewards programs, enhancing employee satisfaction and inclusion.
Links Mentioned:
Article 1: https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/consulting-firms-use-ai-to-squeeze-entry-level-hires-6781876/
Article 2: https://fortune.com/2025/11/18/hiring-job-seekers-recruiters-talent-acquisition-ai-doom-loop-application-technology/
Episode with Rachel Bourne: https://youtu.be/Qs1aA8_0sd0
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:22 - Is McKinsey using AI as an excuse for salary freezes?
03:34 - Why companies are ditching expensive consultants
06:09 - The “AI Doom Loop” in Talent Acquisition
08:55 - Why managers don’t know how to interview anymore
15:57 - 2026 Predictions: Tariffs, Rate Cuts, and Retention
21:37 - The return of the “Pension Mindset”
28:36 - How to build a comp strategy in 4 weeks
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices