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LinkedIn is currently testing an AI-generated chat feature for its Premium users that enables users to message people about job opportunities. While the feature saves time, the messages generated are generic and may contain incorrect information about the user's experience. Users can click on a "magic wand" icon to activate the AI function, which generates a message highlighting the user's experience and relevant skills while listing potential job opportunities at the connection's company.
However, LinkedIn advises users to review the draft carefully before sending it. In the example provided, the message draft highlights relevant experience and expresses interest in exploring opportunities with the recipient's company, but future users should take care to ensure the message is accurate and appropriate for the intended recipient.
And I'm glad LinkedIn gave me these prompts, as the AI feature consistently misstated how much journalism experience I'd had.
In some messages, like the one to my editor, it said I had "8+ years of experience." But even if you include my time volunteering for my student newspaper, I actually have less than seven years of experience.
Other messages claimed I had "over 8 years of experience as a Senior Business Reporter," when I've actually been in the role eight months, as my LinkedIn profile shows. Anyone I messaged could easily view my profile and see that the claims were incorrect.
In total, I used the AI feature to message 14 of my connections on LinkedIn, and all bar one claimed that I had more than eight years of experience.
The messages LinkedIn generated largely followed a similar structure, starting out with salutations and well-wishes, then saying I was interested in a role at the other person's company and describing my apparent eight years of experience.
The messages then highlighted some of the skills listed on my LinkedIn profile that I thought would be relevant, including writing, communication, leadership, and teamwork.
LinkedIn then crafted a brief statement describing how I aligned with the company's mission or values, before adding that I would love to connect or have a chat.
Perhaps the most amusing was a message to a friend whose profile lists them as self-employed writer.
"I noticed that you currently work for Self-employed and I am excited to explore opportunities there relevant to my background," the AI-generated message read. "I believe my profile could be relevant to Self-employed needs or any other projects you might be working on."
Despite the errors, the messages were all written inappropriately formal English and ticked off some of the key things that recruiters often look for in messages from job applicants, such as relevant skills and experience. With sufficient editing, I think the drafts could provide a good starting point for people seeking out new job opportunities.
A LinkedIn representative told Insider: "It's intended to give you a solid first draft to review, edit and make your own before you click send."
LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, which recently rolled out an AI-powered version of Bing.
Another function LinkedIn is testing generates AI messages to recruiters asking for further information about job listings on the site. LinkedIn claimed that by letting AI draft my message, I could boost my chances of getting hired "by up to 3x." Fortunately, these messages didn't allude to my supposed eight years of experience.
OpenAI's ChatGPT and similar AI chatbots have been used by people to compose cover letters and resumes. While LinkedIn currently does not offer this feature, it does have a function that assists in generating introductory messages for initiating job conversations.
The AI-powered writing assistant feature for LinkedIn is currently available in English and only for a select group of Premium subscribers in the US, accessible through desktops. LinkedIn assures that once a conversation has started, the writing assistant will not have access to any private conversations you may have.