AI Doesn't Conquer LinkedIn: The Writing Assistant Flops

Not all AI tools are born to succeed. LinkedIn’s AI writing assistant is proof of that. Despite the general enthusiasm for AI, the feature is falling short of CEO Ryan Roslansky’s expectations, who candidly admitted its poor use in an interview with Bloomberg .

Roslansky’s explanation gets to the heart of the matter. LinkedIn isn’t just any social network; it’s your online resume. Every post becomes part of your professional image, and that raises the stakes compared to other platforms.

“ If you get criticized on X or TikTok, that’s one thing ,” the CEO explained. “ But when you get criticized on LinkedIn, it really impacts your ability to create economic opportunities for yourself .” The reasoning makes sense. Posting content that’s obviously AI-generated on a platform where recruiters and colleagues “scan” every word can backfire and damage your professional credibility .

Ironically, while the writing assistant is struggling, LinkedIn is recording impressive numbers in other areas related to artificial intelligence. Jobs requiring AI skills have increased 6-fold in the last year, while the number of users adding AI skills to their profile has grown 20-fold. The difference is clear: it's one thing to report that you know how to use AI, it's another to let AI help you communicate. The first increases professional value, the second could call it into question.

Roslansky Uses AI to Text His Boss

Ironically, Roslansky himself admits to using AI when he wrote to his boss, Microsoft's Satya Nadella: “Every time I send him an email, I hit the Copilot button to make sure I sound as smart as Satya.”

This anecdote reveals an interesting contradiction. Even the person who runs one of the world's leading professional platforms feels the need to refine their communication with AI, but they do so in private, away from the public eye.

Authenticity vs. efficiency

AI can improve the quality of our writing, but it risks compromising the authenticity that many consider essential in professional networking . Users seem to have found a balance. They use AI to develop skills that make them more attractive in the job market, but when it comes to expressing their professional voice, they prefer to maintain direct control.