LinkedIn CEO Declares AI the New ‘Literacy,’ Reshaping Every Job on the Planet

LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky has a clear and powerful message for the global workforce: artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool; it has become the fundamental operating system for the modern workplace, and every professional who fails to adapt will be left behind.

In a series of recent interviews, the head of the world's largest professional network has been forcefully articulating his vision for why AI now "rules" the world of work. His argument goes far beyond simple automation, presenting AI as a transformative force that is fundamentally reshaping how we work, what skills are valuable, and how companies hire.

Here are the key reasons Roslansky believes AI is now the undisputed king of the workplace:

1. It’s the New Essential Skill, Like Reading or Writing
According to Roslansky, the most profound shift is in how we should think about AI. It's not just a technology for engineers; it's a universal skill, a new form of "literacy" that is as essential as reading, writing, or using a computer.

"For the past several decades, proficiency in Microsoft Office was a baseline expectation for any knowledge worker. In the coming years, proficiency in using AI prompts and collaborating with AI co-pilots will be the new baseline," Roslansky has stated. He points to data from LinkedIn showing an explosive growth in job postings that mention AI skills, a trend he expects to accelerate.

2. It’s Moving Hiring from "Who You Know" to "What You Know"
For years, hiring has been based on proxies for skill, like a university degree or a previous employer. Roslansky argues that AI is changing the game by allowing companies to focus directly on a candidate's proven abilities.

LinkedIn is at the forefront of this shift, using its AI to match candidates to roles based on a granular analysis of their skills, rather than just their resume. This, Roslansky believes, will create a more equitable and efficient labor market where what you can do is more important than where you went to school.


3. It Frees Humans to Do What Humans Do Best
Contrary to the fear that AI will take all the jobs, Roslansky's vision is one of augmentation, not replacement. He argues that AI's greatest strength is its ability to handle the repetitive, administrative, and data-intensive tasks that consume a huge portion of the average workday.

"AI is taking over the rote work, which frees up human talent to focus on the things that we are uniquely good at: strategy, creativity, building relationships, and critical thinking," he explained. The workplace of the future, in his view, is one where human ingenuity is amplified, not sidelined, by intelligent technology.

Roslansky's perspective is a powerful call to action for professionals and businesses everywhere. The message is clear: the AI revolution in the workplace is not coming—it's already here. The only choice is whether to be a passive observer or an active participant in the biggest skills transformation of our lifetime.