LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky and executive Aneesh Raman discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on the global workforce during a TIME interview.
As AI continues to automate tasks, workers face increasing pressure to evolve their skill sets to avoid obsolescence. The executives used the interview to promote their new book, “Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI,” which provides a framework for professional adaptation.
Roslansky said that the unique human elements of a worker's profile are the best defense against automation. “Your differences are your competitive advantage against AI,” Roslansky said [2]. He said that the pace of change is universal and rapid, stating, “Work is changing for everyone, everywhere. Standing still isn’t an option” [4].
The new book presents five key insights for workers seeking to navigate this transition [2]. These insights focus on leveraging human-centric skills that machines cannot easily replicate. According to LinkedIn, certain skills will remain AI-proof by 2026 [5].
Raman, who serves as a LinkedIn executive, highlighted the potential for specific regions to lead in this transition. He said that the adoption of these tools fits well with certain cultural professional strengths. “AI is actually more aligned with the builder mentality that has always existed in India,” Raman said [3].
The executives suggested that the shift toward AI is not merely about technical proficiency but about a mindset of continuous learning. By focusing on the intersection of human intuition and machine efficiency, they argue that workers can create new value in the economy. The discussion underscores a broader corporate push to rebrand AI as a collaborator rather than a replacement for human labor.
“"Your differences are your competitive advantage against AI,"”
The shift in messaging from LinkedIn suggests a transition from treating AI as a disruptive threat to framing it as a tool for individual differentiation. By emphasizing 'AI-proof' skills and a 'builder mentality,' the company is positioning human soft skills and adaptability as the primary currency in a labor market where technical execution is increasingly commoditized by software.
