Rising AI Pressure Pushes Professionals Back Toward Human Networks

Across industries, the rush to keep up with artificial intelligence is leaving many workers stretched thin, and according to new LinkedIn research, that pressure is pushing people to lean more heavily on colleagues and professional circles instead of automated systems or search engines.

In the survey^[1], just over half of professionals said learning AI felt like adding another job on top of their existing responsibilities. A third admitted they felt uneasy about how little they understood, while more than four in ten said the accelerating shift was beginning to affect their wellbeing. Younger staff, particularly those under 25, showed sharper contrasts: they were more likely to exaggerate their knowledge of AI, but also more likely to insist that no software could replace the judgment they rely on from trusted coworkers.

Those findings connect with another shift the research uncovered. When faced with important decisions at work, 43 percent of people said they turn to their networks first, ahead of search tools or AI platforms. Nearly two-thirds reported that advice from colleagues helped them move faster and with more confidence. At the same time, posts about feeling overwhelmed or navigating change have risen sharply on LinkedIn, climbing by more than 80 percent over the past year.

The study also looked at how these patterns influence buying decisions. With Millennials and Generation Z now making up more than seventy percent of business-to-business buyers, traditional brand messaging is no longer enough on its own. Most marketing leaders said audiences cross-check what they hear from companies with conversations in their networks. As a result, four in five plan to direct more spending into community-driven content produced by creators, employees, and experts, pointing to trust in individuals as a central factor in building credibility.

LinkedIn is responding to the trend with updates to its BrandLink program, which gives companies new ways to work with creators and publishers. The platform has already partnered with global enterprises and media outlets to launch original shows designed to bring professional conversations directly into member feeds.

Taken together, the findings suggest that while AI tools continue to spread quickly, professionals still anchor their decisions in relationships. Technology may provide information, but for confidence and clarity, people are still turning back to one another.

Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.

Image: unsplash / M ACCELERATOR^[2]

Read next: Study Shows Chatbots Can Be Persuaded by Human Psychological Tactics^[3]