According to Fast Company, LinkedIn is launching a new AI-powered people search feature that fundamentally changes how users navigate its billion-plus member network. CEO Ryan Roslansky revealed that the platform is moving beyond traditional keyword-based search that only worked well for finding specific names or name-plus-company combinations. The new system understands natural language queries about finding people with specific expertise or experience. This addresses the long-standing problem where users couldn’t easily tap into their extended network for advice or connections beyond their immediate contacts. The timing coincides with LinkedIn’s strategic positioning of its “essential humanity” as increasingly valuable in an AI-dominated landscape.
The network advantage
Here’s the thing that makes this interesting. LinkedIn has always had this massive network effect, but it’s been surprisingly hard to actually use it. You know how it goes – you need someone who knows about scaling e-commerce in Southeast Asia, or someone who’s navigated a specific regulatory environment. Before, you’d just type keywords and hope for the best. Now the AI can actually understand what you’re looking for and connect you with the right people through your network.
Why human expertise still matters
Roslansky makes a compelling point about trusted, contextual knowledge. In a world where AI chatbots can spit out generic advice on demand, the real value shifts to people who’ve actually done the work. I think he’s right – professionals aren’t just asking “what’s the answer” anymore. They’re asking “who can I trust to guide me?” And that’s where LinkedIn’s network of real humans with real experience becomes incredibly valuable. It’s basically the anti-generic-AI-response platform.
The business strategy shift
This isn’t just a feature update – it’s a fundamental repositioning. LinkedIn is betting that its network of human experts and their lived experiences will become more valuable, not less, as AI commoditizes basic information. They’re essentially saying, “Sure, AI can give you the textbook answer, but we connect you with people who’ve actually been in the trenches.” That’s a smart differentiation in a market where everyone’s racing to add AI features. They’re using AI to enhance what makes them unique rather than trying to compete directly with AI assistants.
The implementation challenge
But let’s be real – making this work well is going to be tricky. Understanding natural language queries about expertise is one thing, but actually surfacing the right people from a billion-member network? That’s a massive technical challenge. And then there’s the privacy and relevance balancing act. Do users really want their extended network knowing they’re looking for bankruptcy lawyers or crisis management experts? The success of this feature will depend entirely on how well LinkedIn navigates these nuances while delivering genuinely useful connections.
