Recent data from LinkedIn shows that global hiring has declined by around 20% since 2022. However, the company says artificial intelligence is not the main reason behind this slowdown—at least for now.
Speaking at a global economic event, Blake Lawit explained that while hiring activity has dropped, there is no clear evidence that AI is directly replacing jobs on a large scale. He noted that if AI were significantly affecting employment, the impact would be more visible in sectors such as customer support, administration, and marketing.
According to Lawit, the decline in hiring is noticeable but not unusually higher in areas expected to be influenced by automation. He also pointed out that young job seekers entering the workforce are not experiencing a sharper drop compared to professionals already established in their careers.
Despite this, LinkedIn has not ruled out the possibility that AI could have a bigger impact in the future. The company believes that while job losses are not yet directly linked to AI, the nature of work is already beginning to change.
Lawit highlighted that job skill requirements have already shifted significantly in recent years. On average, the skills needed for most roles have changed by about 25%. With the rapid growth of AI, this figure could rise to as much as 70% by 2030.
This means that even if people remain in the same job, their roles and responsibilities may evolve as new technologies are introduced.
LinkedIn’s insights are based on its large global network of professionals, companies, job listings, and skill data, which provides a real-time view of trends in the job market.
Instead of AI, Lawit suggested that the current slowdown in hiring is more likely linked to economic factors, particularly higher interest rates, which have made companies more cautious about expanding their workforce.
As businesses continue to adjust to economic conditions and emerging technologies, the long-term impact of AI on employment remains uncertain. For now, the data suggests that while AI is transforming how work is done, it has not yet significantly reduced hiring levels.
Source: International business and workforce reports
