AI has changed the world as we knew it. The jobs are no longer the same, and the same goes for education. Hence, in a stark warning to young professionals, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky stated that a “fancy college degree” is no longer the sole ticket to career success. Instead, practical proficiency with AI tools and core human skills are now of paramount importance for rapid job placement and growth.
Speaking at a recent fireside chat, Roslansky addressed the ongoing transformation of the global job market, driven primarily by generative AI. He advised the younger generation to shift their focus from academic pedigree to continuous learning and technical flexibility.
“The future of work belongs not anymore to the people that have the fanciest degrees or went to the best colleges, but to the people who are adaptable, forward-thinking, ready to learn, and ready to embrace these tools,” said Rolansky.
LinkedIn CEO warns about big AI transformation in education
This shift is not theoretical – it is already impacting hiring decisions across industries. Roslansky indicated that the AI transformation is resetting what employers prioritise. Companies are increasingly choosing candidates who can quickly adopt new skills and adapt to technological advances, effectively “opening up the playing field” in a new way.
The CEO’s perspective is strongly supported by recent industry data. A survey from Microsoft revealed that 71 per cent of business leaders would favour hiring a less experienced candidate who possesses AI proficiency over a more experienced candidate who doesn’t know AI.
Furthermore, 66 per cent of executives admitted they would avoid hiring someone without any expertise in AI altogether. LinkedIn itself reported a nearly 70 per cent surge in job postings that explicitly require AI literacy in the past year, confirming that AI knowledge is quickly becoming a general requirement for job seekers.
CEO says human component matters
Roslansky also cautioned against neglecting the “human component.” He emphasised that soft skills will become the job seeker’s “secret weapon.”
“I believe that the human component to all of this is, quite frankly, going to be most people’s secret weapon,” Roslansky added. “So, empathy, communication, adaptability, being able to actually just have a conversation with someone—don’t forget the human skills. Those are critical to being successful in anything that you’re trying to do moving forward.”