Is LinkedIn Losing Its Human Touch to AI?

Okay, let’s talk LinkedIn for a second. Have you scrolled on your feed lately and realised, Why do all posts sound so perfect and the same? Somewhere you already know the answer. It’s probably not them; it’s AI.

According to Wired, almost 54% of long forms of content (English) posts on LinkedIn are now AI-generated. Yes, you heard that right—more than half. Another report by Gartner shows that 41% of professionals do admit that they use AI to generate posts. Some in fact use it to create and automate their entire content calendars.

But you know, where it gets even more interesting? LinkedIn itself has adopted this AI boom. From its premium AI tools that can help you write posts, suggesting what to write in InMails, in fact it provided automated connection note templates. The platform is literally encouraging us to get more assistance from our robot friends, but does it really help to build that "connection"? Which brings me to a big question:

How do we keep LinkedIn professional and authentic while AI is taking over?

Why This Feels Off

LinkedIn has always been about human stories, right? It's where we share opinions, wins, reflect upon losses, and pass career advice or tips. You scroll LinkedIn to feel inspired, not to read something that feels like a polished press release or a robot-written motivational quote and advice.

While almost everyone is using AI to write content and automated messages, we lose an important thing that makes LinkedIn special: the human connection. It's like eating a cake that looks great but tastes like cardboard—where's the flavor?

I understand that you save up time, but let's take LinkedIn's own tools into consideration, like AI-generated notes, which are helpful and quick but sometimes feel too robotic. You think, how many times have you received a connect request that goes like, “Hi [Your Name], I’d love to expand my professional network,” and thought, "Wow, that’s so heartfelt…not."

The Good, The Bad, and the AI of It All

Let’s break it down:

The Good

1. AI Saves Time: Whether it's coming up with a content idea, crafting a post, or a quick note, AI gets the job done fast.
2. Breaking Down Barriers: Non-native speakers or people who aren’t good with words and writing their thoughts down, can still share their stories effectively with AI assistance.
3. Keeps Things Consistent: Since its less time-consuming, you can show up more often on feeds with decent content, even when you’re super busy.

The Bad

1. Robots Aren’t Real: AI doesn’t know your journey, your struggles, or the joy behind that big win you’re sharing; in fact, at times it makes up things and adds in your posts that aren't originally yours.
2. Same Old, Same Old: How many times do we read “5 ways to boost productivity” before we zone out? AI often spits out the same ideas over and over, as it has limited vocabulary.
3. Trust Issues: When we all start wondering, Did a person write this, or was it ChatGPT? The platform could lose its magic and authenticity.

How LinkedIn Can Handle the AI Invasion

Now, don’t get me wrong, please—AI isn’t the villain here. It’s how we use it that matters. And LinkedIn has a huge role to play in making sure the platform stays authentic and genuine. Here’s how I feel they could handle this:

1. Lets Be Honest About AI LinkedIn could introduce an “AI-Assisted” tag for posts or messages that are created with AI tools. This isn’t about shaming people; it’s about building trust & transparency. I mean, I wouldn’t mind knowing if that perfectly worded post was a team effort between my connection and an AI chatbot.
2. Reward Real Organic Stories The algorithm should prioritize organic posts with personal stories or unique perspectives. You know, the kind of content that makes you think, Wow, I’ve been there, instead of Ugh, another productivity tip in AI tone.
3. AI Assistance LinkedIn could offer quick tutorials and articles like “How to Use AI Without Sounding Like a Robot.” (Seriously, I’d sign up for that). This would help people to understand how to blend AI’s efficiency with their own voice and tone.
4. Fix the Generic Messages Those automated connection notes? They are too boring and repetitive. Maybe LinkedIn’s AI could analyze profiles and suggest something more personal, like, “Hi Kash, I saw your recent post about team leadership, and it really resonated with me.” Sounds way better, right?
5. Moderate and Refine Smartly Use AI to filter out low-quality or spammy content but give authentic, high-value posts a boost and recognition. Let’s make LinkedIn inspiring again!

My Thoughts: AI Should Amplify & Not Replace!

Now, let me be real with you—I use AI, too. It’s a great tool for brainstorming my ideas, organizing my thoughts, or helping me craft a rough draft. But here’s the catch: I don't let it replace my own voice.

When I write a post, I make sure it’s me, my voice, my tone, my personality, my experiences, and my story are getting reflected. AI helps, but I’m the one in control. Think of it like cooking... AI can be the sous chef, but I am still the chef deciding what goes on the plate.

And that’s exactly how we all should approach AI on LinkedIn. Use it to save up time or get over writer’s block, but don’t let it turn the ideas into just another robotic post.

Why This Matters

At the end of the day, I feel that LinkedIn isn’t Instagram or TikTok ...it’s a space for building networks, growing in careers, sharing knowledge, and creating real, professional connections. But if we let AI dominate without a good plan, we risk turning it into a bland, tasteless, impersonal content mill.

The good news? If LinkedIn takes action now, by promoting transparency, rewarding authenticity, and educating its users, it can balance AI innovation with human connection. And honestly, if they pull it off, they’ll set a gold standard for all other platforms dealing with this same challenge.

Let’s Talk Have you noticed the AI wave on LinkedIn? How do you feel about automated posts and messages that you have come across? Are they enhancing your experience on LinkedIn or making it feel less genuine? Let’s discuss; it’s a conversation only we real people can have.

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References

• Wired. (2024, November 27). Yes, That Viral LinkedIn Post You Read Was Probably AI-Generated. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/story/linkedin-ai-generated-influencers
• Sinek, S. (2009). Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action.