TL;DR:
- LinkedIn introduces a generative AI feature for premium subscribers to refine profiles.
- Initial user feedback indicates AI suggestions are often formulaic and occasionally inaccurate.
- Approximately 70% of users apply AI-generated suggestions, but some find the content lacks personality.
- Challenges include the need for complete profiles for accurate AI output and the potential for excessive verbosity.
- AI tool may prioritize existing roles over career aspirations, limiting its utility.
- Users desire more control over customization and tone in AI-generated content.
Main AI News:
In the ever-evolving world of professional networking, LinkedIn has harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to elevate user profiles. While this innovation promises assistance in refining your digital narrative, some users find themselves at a crossroads, debating the extent to which they desire their profiles to exude creativity.
LinkedIn introduced a generative AI feature, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 model, earlier this year for its premium subscribers. This tool aims to assist users in crafting attention-grabbing headlines and compelling “about” sections. By summarizing existing profile content and providing polished suggestions, LinkedIn’s AI tool, prominently marked with a golden “write with AI” button, aims to be a game-changer. The feature is currently available to all of LinkedIn’s millions of premium subscribers, with potential expansion on the horizon.
The advent of generative AI features has rippled through various industries following OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Giants like Microsoft, Google, and others have integrated generative AI into their product offerings. Now, LinkedIn, under the Microsoft umbrella, has joined this wave with its latest implementation.
Initial feedback from users who have explored this AI-driven feature echoes a common sentiment: while the suggestions may provide a starting point, they often feel formulaic and occasionally factually inaccurate. Some users have described the AI-generated content as “lifeless” and, in some instances, technically incorrect.
LinkedIn reports that approximately 70 percent of users who utilize the AI feature accept the recommended suggestions, either as-is or with slight modifications. However, the company acknowledges that AI can occasionally err and is actively working to minimize these inaccuracies. Users are encouraged to review and edit the AI-generated content for accuracy. For those concerned about a robotic tone, LinkedIn recommends making initial profile adjustments and then reusing the tool to obtain varied suggestions. The company is committed to refining the tool’s tone over time.
Laura Teclemariam, senior director of product at LinkedIn, emphasizes the personalized nature of these AI-powered suggestions, tailored to individual profiles. She believes that as the tool evolves, the suggestions will become more adept at capturing users’ unique voices.
LinkedIn is also experimenting with and rolling out other AI capabilities, allowing users to access personalized feed summaries, create posts and messages, and connect with relevant job opportunities. Furthermore, LinkedIn is combining AI-generated conversation starters with member insights to produce collaborative articles on topics such as leadership and team building.
However, after putting the profile feature to the test, a couple of key observations have emerged. Firstly, users must ensure that their profiles are fully completed to enable the AI to extract titles and background information accurately. Otherwise, the tool may extract irrelevant information. Secondly, like most generative AI, the output may sometimes become excessively verbose, necessitating manual editing.
In one test scenario, multiple headline options were offered, while the about section had only one. Additionally, some users found that the AI overlooked certain elements that provided insights into their personality, focusing solely on professional details.
While the AI tool may prove useful for those seeking assistance in profile creation, it is not without its limitations. Users have reported errors when the AI made assumptions about their roles and found the generated content to be too generic for their liking.
In some cases, the AI blended commonalities from job titles with the actual content of users’ profiles, potentially hindering career advancement. Users may want to emphasize the title they aspire to rather than simply summarizing their current and previous roles.
Sangeeta Krishnan, a senior analytics lead at Bayer, expressed frustration with the tool’s inability to allow users to customize their highlights according to industry relevance. The AI often prioritized older certifications over more pertinent ones listed at the top of profiles. She also wished for greater control over the tone of the generated content.
As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, concerns arise about homogeneity in text. Users have reported that AI-generated content often lacks the engaging quality of human-authored text. While generative AI holds promise, experts recommend using it as a tool in your profile optimization journey, but with a discerning eye.
Conclusion:
LinkedIn’s AI-driven profile enhancement offers convenience but underscores the importance of striking a balance between automation and personalization in the professional networking market. Users seek more control and accuracy while navigating the evolving landscape of AI-assisted networking.
