By Hezron Ochiel
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been touted as the future of work; yet, for many professionals, it feels like an additional responsibility piled on top of an already demanding workload. A new LinkedIn study reveals that amid the noise, people are reverting to something more familiar and trusted: their own networks.
The numbers reveal an interesting picture. Forty-three (43%) of professionals say their personal networks remain their first source of advice at work, ahead of search engines and even AI tools. Nearly two-thirds report that colleagues help them make decisions faster and with greater confidence. In other words, when the pressure is high, people are still more likely to turn to those they know rather than to algorithms.
The hidden cost of AI on mental health and confidence
The same research also shows the growing strain. More than half of professionals say learning AI feels like taking on an extra job. At the same time, conversations on LinkedIn about being overwhelmed or navigating change have risen by 82% in the past year. A third of respondents admitted to feeling embarrassed about their limited knowledge of AI, and more than a third said they avoid discussing it at work because they fear sounding uninformed.
The weight professionals are carrying goes beyond acquiring skills; it also affects their well-being.
Four in ten say the rapid pace of AI change is harming their mental health. Younger professionals are feeling it most, with Gen Z nearly twice as likely as Gen X to exaggerate or even lie about their AI skills to fit in.
Experts see this as a reflection of the times. Dan Shapero, LinkedIn’s Chief Operating Officer, has observed that by 2030, nearly 70 percent of the skills used in most jobs will have undergone significant changes. That pace explains why so many feel unsettled. Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft AI, has urged professionals to focus less on fear and more on collaboration with AI while staying grounded in their human strengths.
Research on the long-term effects is mixed. A recent German study found no significant negative impact of AI on worker wellbeing, and even some improvements in health satisfaction where automation reduced repetitive or physically demanding tasks. Still, psychologists have long described the phenomenon of technostress, the sense of anxiety and burnout that arises when technology evolves faster than people can adapt to it comfortably.
Career experts are also weighing in on the conversation. According to Mr. Lamech Tala of Switch on Careers, the reason networks remain vital is that AI lacks lived experience.
“People want to talk with real people, someone who has walked the journey, someone they trust. That is why people will always come first when one needs information,” he explained.
He pointed out that the same pattern is evident in recruitment today. Instead of relying entirely on automated systems, some employers are now preferring referrals from people they know and trust.
Mr. Tala emphasized that while AI can scan resumes and highlight skills, it cannot assess a candidate’s work ethic or character, which are often the strongest determinants of success in the workplace. It cannot measure interpersonal skills or emotional intelligence.
“Sometimes people prepare with AI coaching for an interview, but when they face real questions, they fail. Work is about being human, and only humans can test that,” he noted. He added that applicant tracking systems are helpful for shortlisting CVs.
Still, the objective evaluation comes afterwards through interviews that test attitude, nonverbal cues, and the ability to demonstrate experiential skills. In his words, AI can enhance a CV, but judgment still belongs to human recruiters.
Workplace impact
These findings reflect the choices that organizations and their employees must make on a daily basis. For employers, it is a call to build workplaces that value mentoring, teamwork, and continuous learning, rather than relying solely on technology to close every skill gap.
When leaders create a space for collaboration and honest conversations, they alleviate anxiety and make the process of learning new skills more meaningful. For employees, the lesson is clear. Thriving in the age of AI will not come from chasing tools or polishing CVs alone. It will come from leaning on trusted networks, strengthening relationships, and building resilience. Skills such as empathy, adaptability, and communication remain those that set people apart, and those who nurture them will be better positioned to succeed in a future shaped by AI.
The LinkedIn findings are based on two layers of research. Censuswide surveyed more than 19,000 professionals across 13 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Germany, France, Singapore, and Brazil, in July 2025. The sample comprised full-time and part-time employees, as well as a small proportion of unemployed but actively job-seeking respondents.
LinkedIn also analyzed platform conversations between July 2024 and June 2025, tracking mentions of terms such as “overwhelmed,” “burnout,” “navigating change,” and AI-related phrases like “ChatGPT” and “generative AI.” Overall, the survey and the platform analysis provide both a snapshot of professional sentiment and a reflection of real-time online conversations.
The writer is a Strategic Communications Expert, a best-selling author, and the Founder of Hezron Insights.