A senior LinkedIn executive is pushing back against dire warnings from Elon Musk and Bill Gates that artificial intelligence will eliminate most jobs, arguing that hiring trends across the platform show no evidence of a collapse in labor demand - even in roles widely viewed as vulnerable to automation. The claim adds a new data-driven perspective to the global debate over whether AI is reshaping work or erasing it.
Mr. Musk has predicted that AI will eliminate "all jobs" within 20 years, while Mr. Gates has warned that even trained workers may not be insulated from automation. But LinkedIn's leadership says the platform's internal metrics show something different. According to the executive, businesses across multiple industries "are still hiring," including in job categories often assumed to be first in line for replacement by machine learning technologies.
The executive pointed to hiring statistics across LinkedIn's global platform, saying the company has not seen a decline in job postings or new-hire activity in AI-exposed sectors. Instead, the data suggests that "numerous companies continue to hire, and in certain instances, are hiring more." The findings contradict predictions of a near-term AI-driven labor contraction.
LinkedIn's vantage point makes the analysis especially influential. As a professional network used by millions of employers, the platform aggregates hiring patterns across industries rather than through narrow surveys. The executive maintains that AI is more likely to "alter the work" than to eliminate jobs outright.
Still, the view is not universally shared. Geoffrey Hinton - often called the "Godfather of AI" - continues to warn that automation could displace workers performing routine cognitive tasks. Critics argue that LinkedIn's observations reflect only early-stage trends and may fail to capture long-term structural effects as generative AI systems become more capable.
The executive acknowledged that the pace of AI adoption varies widely across industries.
• Tech, marketing, and automation-heavy sectors: rapid adoption and visible AI integration.
• Manufacturing, healthcare, and public sector roles: slower uptake, with most jobs "changing but not disappearing."
Workers, the executive said, should expect roles to evolve as AI tools become embedded in daily workflows. That means rising pressure to adopt new skills, even if job elimination remains limited for now.
For companies, the data suggests opportunity as well as risk. Organizations can restructure roles around human judgment, creativity and interpersonal skills - areas where AI remains weak. But firms must also plan for transitions that could accelerate as automation technologies advance.
Policymakers watching the debate see implications for retraining, workforce mobility and future social-safety frameworks. While LinkedIn's findings offer reassurance, experts say governments should continue preparing for scenarios in which AI displaces larger portions of the workforce.
One career strategist recently emphasized the importance of adaptability, saying: "The most important thing for job seekers to think about is the mindset that you're also bringing to the table." The comment reflects a broader view that AI represents both a threat and an opportunity.
