LinkedIn adds AI tools to make recruiting more conversational

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The Microsoft-owned networking platform is adding new AI-powered tools to help recruiters more easily surface job candidates as LinkedIn continues to take advantage of the generative AI resources of its tech giant parent.

After introducing AI-assisted messages for recruiters in May, LinkedIn will now let head hunters simply type in natural language describing the type of candidate they are looking for, allowing the company to combine profile insights with generative AI to cast a wide net. Other new additions include an AI-powered ad campaign creator and an automated coach for LinkedIn’s education products.

LinkedIn’s VP of product engineering, Erran Berger, told Tech Brew that the tools are designed to help recruiters expand the list of potential candidates by opening up a conversational format between the AI and the human, wherein the system can make suggestions based on insights and criteria the user mentions. Like LinkedIn’s other AI tools, the new services are integrated into existing LinkedIn infrastructure and powered by OpenAI models through Microsoft’s cloud platform Azure, Berger said, all courtesy of Microsoft’s blockbuster partnership with OpenAI.

AI everywhere: In addition to the recruitment tools, LinkedIn is also debuting a chatbot called “Learn With AI” that aims to build advice and content recommendations based on a user’s job title, goals, and skills. Another tool, Accelerate, will help B2B marketers do things like craft campaigns and pick audiences within the site.

LinkedIn is experimenting with generative AI in a number of ways. It debuted an AI tool that helps recruiters craft messages to candidates in May, and a feature that helps users write bios and other profile information in March. The company has also rolled out AI-powered “conversation starters” to prompt users into discussions.

Saving time: As AI becomes a bigger part of job search and hiring systems, a Pew report earlier this year showed that Americans tend to be wary of its growing role. But Berger said LinkedIn’s tools are designed to free up recruiters’ schedules so they have more time to focus on the human side of the hiring process.

“Our goal with all this stuff is actually—and I think you see it in the product—is to have recruiters focus on the things that they can do best that that generative AI can’t do, which is actually really internalizing what the company needs, what the culture is, and getting on the phone with a candidate and and making sure that they’re a fit,” Berger said.