Understanding the AI advantage

You’ve watched as AI has become the hot topic in the world of work, now it’s time to learn how you can use it to advance in your career. While many organizations are eager to explore AI tools, their conversations around investments, adoption, training, and other priorities are still ongoing. In your job search and in your current role, you can be an asset by leaning into these discussions and demonstrating your expertise. Now is your chance to get ahead with:

• AI-focused findings from the 2024 Work Trend Index
• Insights on the human-AI connection
• Focused LinkedIn resources
• Newsletters for continued learning

Become an AI power user in 2024

LinkedIn and Microsoft recently released the 2024 Work Trend Index, a joint report on the state of AI at work titled, “AI at work is here. Now comes the hard part.” Bringing together research from across countries and industries, as well as data from our platforms, the report shows how AI is influencing the way people work, lead and hire around the world.

Here are three key takeaways:

🧰 Employees want AI at work—and won’t wait for companies to catch up: Seventy-five percent of knowledge workers now use generative AI at work, but 78% of these users are bringing their own tools. This disjointed approach misses out on the benefits that come from more strategic, large-scale AI use. Consider discussing with your peers how they are using AI, so that you can work together to build buy-in for the most effective AI tools at your organization.

📈 For employees, AI raises the bar and breaks the career ceiling: Two-thirds of leaders (66%) say they wouldn't hire someone without AI skills. With only 25% of companies expected to offer AI training this year, there is a real advantage to skilling up on your own with resources like LinkedIn Learning courses. As of late last year, we’ve seen a 142x increase in LinkedIn members adding AI skills like Copilot and ChatGPT to their profiles and a 160% increase in nontechnical professionals using LinkedIn Learning courses to build their AI literacy skills. A mention of AI in LinkedIn job posts also drives a 17% bump in applications, making this a two-way street: organizations that empower employees with AI tools and training will attract the best talent, and professionals who skill up will have the edge.

🔋The rise of the AI power user—and what they reveal about the future: The research identified four types of AI users, from skeptics who rarely use AI to power users who use it extensively. Compared to skeptics, AI power users are saving over 30 minutes per day and 90% of them say AI makes their overwhelming workload more manageable and their work more enjoyable. By seeking out opportunities where leadership supports AI use, investing in training, and embracing experimentation, you can connect with opportunities that will turn you into a power user yourself. 

Go deeper into the report with insights from Karin Kimbrough , Chief Economist at LinkedIn, in her post here.

AI and our “relationship economy” 

This report offers a fresh opportunity to focus on how AI is impacting us as humans. How is it amplifying skills like creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving, and how are we centering people skills and social abilities at work? These are the questions that LinkedIn VP and Workforce Expert Aneesh Raman explores in his post and the below video:

Stand out and stay ahead on LinkedIn

With LinkedIn, you can move in the direction of your goals while keeping pace with the changing AI landscape. Position yourself for career advancement opportunities with these resources: 

• For upskilling: We've added over 50 new LinkedIn Learning courses on AI for professionals at all skill levels, now unlocked and free for everyone through July 8. Additionally, our new AI-Powered Coaching in LinkedIn Learning helps you find the content you need to grow skills faster with greater personalization and guided conversational learning.
• For career advancement: LinkedIn Premium subscribers get more from their feed with AI-powered personalized takeaways on posts, articles, or videos that inspire new ideas and actions you can take.
• For job seeking: With new AI-powered tools in LinkedIn Premium, you can assess your fit for a role based on your experience and skills and get advice on how to stand out in your application. Subscribers will also see suggestions for skills to build, professionals in your network to reach out to, and other actions. 

Get ahead with the “AI Edge”

A majority of employers today say they would rather hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without. In her video, Erin McGoff tells you how you can skill up on AI to give yourself an edge in your career:

Subscribe for further reading

• The Monthly Tech-In by Microsoft : Your monthly source of "byte-sized" updates on Microsoft innovations and global tech advancements. 
• Career Companion by Catherine Fisher , LinkedIn Career Expert: Tap in to Catherine’s thoughts on the changing nature of work, beginning with her take on the 2024 Work Trend Index. 

How are you using AI to your advantage at work? 💻 Find more ways to get ahead by subscribing to In the Loop.