LinkedIn data shows AI isn’t to blame for hiring decline… yet

In a recent interview at Semafor's World Economy summit, Blake Lawit, LinkedIn's Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer, revealed that the platform has noted a significant hiring downturn, approximately 20% since 2022. Despite the prevailing narrative that artificial intelligence (AI) might be influencing this trend, Lawit firmly disagrees. He emphasized the power of LinkedIn's economic graph, which encompasses over a billion members, including data on companies, job postings, and skills. This extensive dataset provides a real-time glimpse into labor market dynamics. According to Lawit, the evidence does not support the notion that AI is currently affecting job availability. He stated, "We’ve looked and, honestly, we haven’t seen it." Instead, Lawit attributes the hiring slowdown to rising interest rates rather than AI advancements. He elaborated that various sectors, such as customer support, administrative roles, and marketing, which are often discussed in the context of AI's impact, haven't shown the expected reductions in hiring. "Yes, hiring’s down, but not down more," he noted, confirming that the decline among college-aged job seekers is similar to that of more experienced individuals. While Lawit remains cautious about the future, he highlighted a significant shift in job requirements. Over the past few years, the skills necessary for most roles have evolved by 25%. However, with the increasing prevalence of AI, LinkedIn anticipates that this percentage could soar to 70% by 2030. "So, even if you’re not changing jobs, your job’s changing on you," Lawit warned, indicating that adaptability will be key in the evolving job landscape.