What is the new AI feature on LinkedIn?
It seems like LinkedIn has implemented artificial intelligence into every possible part of the platform, but it hasn't. LinkedIn is introducing another AI feature and it is in the search engine. The new tool will allow more informal search queries to find relevant pages, posts and especially people on the web.
How does AI search work on LinkedIn?
The main focus of the feature is to discover people, but that doesn't close off the possibilities it has and covers other items and content types. The search bar will be able to generate results based on almost any different criteria that are formulated freely. That is, you don't have to wonder how best to describe the person you are looking for, but just write what you think of first.
LinkedIn Chief Product Officer TOmer Cohen explains:
"Describe what you need in your own words and we will point you to the people in your network who would be helpful. Write it as you would say it, e.g., 'former colleagues who became founders in healthcare in NYC,' 'angel investors with FDA experience for an early stage biotech company,' 'Spanish-speaking teachers in Austin working with special needs kids.' From 'who should I talk to?' to 'here's who can help you' - here's how to unlock opportunity on LinkedIn."
Is that too specific or useful?
The examples Tomer Cohen gives are impressively concrete and not nearly as many people would look for them in the platform. However, if we leave aside the abstract note, the feature can be a significantly more practical way to find the right contacts on LinkedIn. Simple queries will allow highly specific resultswithout even needing to use the platform's filters.
How far will this feature go on LinkedIn?
One question arises, namely how far the demand goes. If you search for "the guy in my network who exposed himself by saying something tactless about an acquaintance", does the AI search engine will recognize the right person you're referring to? What if, for example, you don't want to work with questionable people, what would be the result of a search like 'people in my network with questionable backgrounds'?
Of course, LinkedIn's search engine should retrieves data based on the information that users have voluntarily published in their profiles. And since on LinkedIn most people strive to look as presentable and professional as possible, it's unlikely that the results will come out too problematic. But what would be the result if artificial intelligence started combining information from different profiles and posts across platforms and different articles, potentially embarrassing revelations would emerge. Users should be even more careful about what content they publish on their other platforms.
Conclusion
LinkedIn's new AI functionality shows how much rapidly developing the way we search for people and information. Conversational and simplified search promises more intuitive and personalized results, but it also brings a host of questions about privacy and the future impact of AI in professional networks.
What do you think - AI search on LinkedIn will make finding the right people easier or hides more potential Risks? I'm curious to hear your opinion too, drop me a private message on LinkedIn and let me know.
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The article was written by Kaloyan Kirchev and Emmanuel Tonev
English (UK) 
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