Surely I’m not the only one worried….?
about how LinkedIn might decline now that AI seems to be taking over. This revolution reminds me of another tumultuous time in LinkedIn, covered in my popular 2017 post?.
Unlike 2017, this is NOT a business-as-usual change. #AI threatens the original mission of #linkedin so well stated by its founder
Reid Hoffman
in 2009:?“We're always about individual professionals doing business with their network.” Reid is talking about ?REAL RELATIONSHIPS, not machine-driven substitutes enabled by AI.
I believe that we should take on this challenge as active users of LinkedIn: ensuring that the core of LinkedIn is preserved, notwithstanding the AI steamroller. If you agree, the following scenarios and suggestions will help us all step up.
Will AI be LinkedIn’s downfall?
Here are some (potential) developments to watch out for:
- The balance that has always marked LinkedIn gets shaken. When the 2017 changes came about, people feared that LinkedIn would become like all other social media. But counterforces prevailed: For example, #Autoban was a movement to discourage the growing use of automated or “done for you” services. In contrast, the 2023 AI explosion seems to be accelerating so fast that counterforces may not have time to take hold.?
- Authentic interaction gets pushed out. ?AI comes at a time when the growth of the LinkedIn platform is already startling: Between June 2020 and June 2022, LinkedIn members shared?25% more public content?YoY.?While that’s good news for some, users are already at their limit trying to keep up with Newsletter subscriptions and requests to Follow Pages. The increase in AI-enabled Posts might just push the platform over the edge: clutter dominates and LinkedIn oblivion will follow swiftly.
- Microsoft gets more involved. ?After many years of letting LinkedIn control its destiny, #microsoft may be shifting gears. Microsoft appears to be taking a more active role in generating profits from LinkedIn. Microsoft has also begun pushing its new Bing AI Powered Post writing feature, a play more about proving Microsoft in the AI world than about preserving LinkedIn.?
Countering the above, how might AI actually help LinkedIn?
- LinkedIn’s interface becomes more tailored to the individual - Using AI algorithms, LinkedIn will make our LinkedIn experience more relevant - ?suggesting people to Connect with who will truly complement our networking goals, as well as more interesting and relevant posts on our Home Page feed.
- Hearing from a broader range of people - With tools like #chatgpt, getting started on LinkedIn posting will not be as much of a barrier for some, and we can look forward to hearing what a broader range of our colleagues are thinking and doing.
- Many of us still value business relationships above all else. I’ve even been to gatherings where the stated purpose is discussing AI, yet the importance of #relationships becomes an enduring theme. I believe that despite AI-driven automation, many LinkedIn users like you and me will stick to our core values as business people and nurture relationships notwithstanding all the AI automation around us. ?
What can you do to preserve LinkedIn?
- Resist automated Messaging and Commenting – AI can speed the process of exchanging messages and Commenting on Posts. Don’t fall into the trap of filling LinkedIn with banal thoughts. Instead, consider thoughtfully before communicating with your fellow Members.
- Reconnect – Ezra Klein and others have written about an “epidemic of loneliness” in our society. While not a cure-all, reconnecting with prior colleagues and rekindling business friendships here on LinkedIn can be one significant step.
- Start new relationships – With all the clutter and SPAM here on LinkedIn, have you gotten skeptical about accepting Messages or Connection requests from people you don’t know? If so, you should take note of my recent Poll showing that people I respect are using LinkedIn often or sometimes to kindle relationships. ?
So what does the future hold for LinkedIn in the new AI World? Much of the answer is up to us LinkedIn users. As was the case after the 2017 change, we can together keep at least some of what makes LinkedIn special!
Mentoring new and experienced Customer Success leaders to show tangible value of Customer Success using the Predictive Customer Behavior Index?
10 个月Great post Bruce! Very timely.
Customer Insights | Marketing Strategies | Key Market Trend Evaluation | Buyer & User Behaviors | Brand Audits | Marcom
1 年AI cannot replace the personal relationship building – rather, it can serve to kindle a relationship. If someone uses AI on LI as a “generic” conversation starter – then one should quickly move to personalized responses and introductory real-time, live conversations with those that demonstrate a willingness to engage. Without the personalization, there is no real relationship taking place. Love the breadth of reader responses to the post!
Leadership, Team, and Culture Consultant
1 年Thought provoking analysis, Bruce Segall. Thanks for adding to this important conversation.
Workplace Chemist | Leadership Strategist for Organizations Looking to Increase Ownership across the organization | trademarked Team Productivity Process | Board Leadership| Author | Dog Lover | Foodie
1 年Very thoughtful, Bruce. AI brings up a lot of questions. Authenticity, people are craving it more with the threat of AI as well as many other challenges in our society. And with the crazy world of social media X, twitter, thread.....LinkedIn has always been a place that professionals have trusted to remain relevant and useful in creating and developing business relationships as well as functioning as a place of learning. How can Microsoft safeguard LinkedIn from AI taking over and watering down the power of its value? Agreeing with you, it does take us as individual users to be more intentional in connecting and responding to people's requests and conversations. Another question, I post content on LinkedIn, I want readers to be assured that the content was written by me and not AI and the same for others posting. How can Microsoft authenticate posted content? Before you post, answer the question - are you a robot?
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1 年So far, connecting with old and new contacts on LinkedIn is working better than email. I wouldn't mind LinkedIn highlighting "old" contacts for me, as it is great to reconnect with people I worked with 20-30 years ago. One of my favorite activities is to peruse profiles and see the path to senior positions and/or pivots and I want to ask, what did you do or what happened to you that changed your career path?