TL;DR
- LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky says AI-generated writing suggestions haven’t caught on as expected.
- Users hesitate to post AI-written content due to reputation risks on a professional platform.
- Despite this, AI-related skills are surging—6x more jobs require them, and profile mentions are up 20x.
- Roslansky uses Copilot himself, especially when emailing Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
AI Enthusiasm Meets Platform Caution
Although AI continues to revolutionize productivity tools, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky revealed a surprising insight: users are not embracing AI-generated writing suggestions as enthusiastically as expected. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Roslansky shared that the platform’s writing assistant, powered by Microsoft’s Copilot, has seen limited traction—especially when it comes to polishing LinkedIn posts.
“It’s not as popular as I thought it would be, quite frankly,” he admitted.
This low uptake runs counter to broader user enthusiasm for AI. LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, has leaned heavily into AI integrations—from job matching to skill recommendations—but writing assistance seems to strike a different chord. Roslansky attributes this resistance to the professional stakes associated with LinkedIn.
The Professional Pressure of Posting
Unlike other social platforms, LinkedIn functions as a digital résumé, where every post contributes to a user’s perceived credibility and employability. Roslansky explained the higher barrier to publishing on LinkedIn: “This is your resume online.” He added that the consequences of posting something that looks too obviously AI-generated are more serious than being called out on platforms like TikTok or X (formerly Twitter).
“When you’re getting called out on LinkedIn, it really impacts your ability to create economic opportunity for yourself,” he emphasized.
This explains why even though AI tools are widely available, professionals may hesitate to use them when their career reputation is at stake.
AI Skills Are Booming on LinkedIn
Even as users tread cautiously with AI writing, LinkedIn’s broader AI ecosystem continues to expand rapidly. According to Roslansky, AI-related job listings on LinkedIn have increased sixfold over the past year. Additionally, the number of users adding AI skills to their profiles has surged by a factor of 20.
This reflects a wider industry trend where knowledge of AI—especially prompt engineering, generative model fine-tuning, and AI product management—has become a critical differentiator in hiring.
| AI Adoption on LinkedIn | Source: Bloomberg |
| AI-related job listings | 6x increase |
| AI skills added to profiles | 20x increase |
The paradox? Professionals want AI knowledge on their résumé—but aren’t ready for AI to write that résumé for them.
Roslansky Uses Copilot—With a Twist
Interestingly, Roslansky himself regularly uses Copilot, but in a more behind-the-scenes role. He disclosed that before sending emails to his boss, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, he uses Copilot to ensure tone and professionalism.
“Every time, before I send him an email, I hit the Copilot button to make sure that I sound Satya-smart,” he joked.
This small anecdote illustrates a growing behavioral trend: AI as a silent assistant rather than a co-creator. Professionals may feel more comfortable using AI in private workflows (like internal email drafts or summarizations) than in public-facing posts that reflect personal branding.
Human Voice vs. Machine Polish
The hesitancy to adopt AI writing tools on LinkedIn also reflects deeper concerns about authenticity. Users want to sound polished, but not artificial. This balancing act becomes harder with generative AI, which can produce content that feels “over-rehearsed” or impersonal.
LinkedIn’s unique role as a platform where networking, recruiting, and reputation intersect raises the stakes for every post. A generative tool that helps a user write an elegant cover letter may not be welcome in drafting an opinionated thought leadership post—especially if it risks being flagged as inauthentic.
Generative AI Still Evolving in Professional Contexts
LinkedIn’s experience highlights a broader industry pattern: while AI tools are growing, adoption remains context-dependent. Professionals are embracing AI in ways that help them learn, filter, or summarize—but when it comes to outward communication, the personal voice still matters most.
This may change as AI becomes more context-aware and stylistically adaptive. Already, platforms like Microsoft 365 Copilot and Google Gemini are advancing toward writing tools that better match a user’s tone, intent, and audience. For now, however, many professionals see AI as a helpful assistant—not a ghostwriter.
Conclusion
AI is transforming professional workflows—but not always in predictable ways. On LinkedIn, where reputational stakes are high, users are still hesitant to rely on AI for writing public content. Despite a boom in AI job listings and skills training, authenticity remains king. Even Roslansky, who leads one of the world’s most influential professional platforms, uses Copilot quietly—making sure he sounds smart before hitting “send.” This measured approach may be the real path forward: using AI strategically, not automatically.
