Almost half (46%) of professionals feel learning AI is like taking on another job, with many reporting rising pressure and insecurity in the workplace, as revealed in new research from LinkedIn.
The survey, of more than 19,000 professionals, found 28% of professionals feel embarrassed by how little they know about AI, and 32% say they avoid talking about it at work for fear of sounding uninformed.
Younger workers are under the most strain, with Gen Z (21%) and Millennials (22%) nearly twice as likely to exaggerate their AI skills compared to Gen X and Baby Boomers (11%).
Professionals feel overwhelmed by rising AI expectations
Almost half (46%) of Aussies feel that mastering AI is like a second job, there’s also optimism around AI’s ability to improve daily work life (57% agree) and over half (51%) admit they’re not using AI to its fullest capability, according to the platform’s research.
Meanwhile 37% feel overwhelmed by the pace at which they’re expected to adapt. Almost half (45%) of executives plan to make AI proficiency part of hiring or performance reviews in the year ahead.
In a world of AI, real decisions still rely on real people
Despite this, professionals still lean on colleagues and networks when making decisions.
More than half (51%) trust advice from their peers over AI tools, and 91% of executives say human judgment remains critical to business decisions.
On LinkedIn, this is reflected in a rise in workplace conversations: a 60% increase in posts about navigating change and a 29% rise in AI-related posts in the past year.
When facing big work decisions like asking for a pay rise or deciding whether to switch industries, the top three sources people turn to:
• Current colleagues (51%)
• Friends and family (44%)
• Manager (35%)
Just one in four (25%) would trust AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot.
“Balancing day-to-day responsibilities with the need to quickly build AI skills isn’t easy, but Australians are turning that pressure into progress,” Brendan Wong, Career Expert at LinkedIn Australia, said.
“Through AI, everyone has access to information and it’s becoming a commodity. It’s the guidance of colleagues and mentors that helps people make confident decisions. When the pressure’s on, the uniquely Aussie instinct kicks-in.
“We still look to each other first – leaning on our mates, colleagues and mentors that help people cut through the noise and make confident decisions.”
Impact of AI on wellbeing and confidence
The study also highlighted the growing pressure on professionals to understand AI at work, with many reluctant to admit knowledge gaps.
One in three Australians (37%) say the pace of change is unsustainable for their wellbeing. Younger workers feel it most, with Gen Z (21%) and Millennials (22%) nearly twice as likely as older generations (11%) to exaggerate their AI skills.
These pressures are increasingly reflected on LinkedIn, where posts about feeling overwhelmed and navigating change are up 60% year-on-year, alongside a 29% rise in AI-related conversations.
Career Expert tips from LinkedIn on growing confidence through your network:
1. Be open about what you don’t know
It’s okay not to have all the answers. Reach out to trusted colleagues or mentors and ask specific questions like, “How did you get comfortable using AI tools in your work?” or “What resources helped you learn the most?”
Being honest about what you’re still figuring out invites support and practical advice.
2. Follow and learn from expert voices beyond your immediate circle
Expand who you follow and engage with on LinkedIn and beyond. Find creators, industry leaders, and peers who share tips and insights on AI, entrepreneurship, career growth, and more.
With the launch of new Shows by LinkedIn, members can find relevant content from creators they trust on the topics that matter most to them. Whether you’re tuning into AI in Action, Founder’s Blueprint, Small Business Builders, or The CEO Playbook, there’s something new to help you get the insights you need to succeed at your job—making learning feel less overwhelming and more relevant to your goals.
3. Take agency of your upskilling
While building AI skills doesn’t have to be a solo journey, it helps to be in the driver’s seat of your own growth.
Take charge of your growth with free LinkedIn Learning courses like Nano Tips for Effective Networking at Work, and Super Connecting: The Secret of Professional Networking, and learn at your own pace. And don’t miss LinkedIn’s first-ever AI in Work Day on September 30 — a live event packed with practical advice, tips and tools to help you use AI in your everyday work.