Prime Highlight
- LinkedIn has launched an AI-driven people search tool that allows users to find professionals using natural language queries instead of complex filters.
- The update marks a major step in LinkedIn’s broader AI integration strategy, expanding from job search to people search for improved networking and career discovery.
Key Facts
- The new AI people search is currently available to premium users in the U.S., enabling queries like “Find investors in the healthcare sector with FDA experience.”
- Early testing shows users are leveraging the tool for job connections, business leads, and career growth, though LinkedIn notes results may still vary based on query phrasing.
Background
LinkedIn has launched an AI-powered people search to help users find the right professionals without needing exact keywords or many filters. The new tool, now available to premium members in the U.S., lets users type natural language queries such as “Find investors in the healthcare sector with FDA experience” or “Who in my network can help me understand wireless networks.”
For years, LinkedIn users depended on lexical search, which required knowing job titles, skills, or filter combinations to get accurate results. Rohan Rajiv, senior director of product management at LinkedIn, said the new system aims to remove that complexity by offering “the fastest path to the person who can help you the most.”
LinkedIn has been adding AI features across its platform for the past two years, including tools for job searches, ad creation, summaries, hiring assistance, and personalized digests. Earlier this year, it launched a natural language job search for U.S. users. The expansion of the feature to people search marks another major step in the platform’s AI strategy.
The company said early testing shows users are using the tool to look for job connections, business leads, and career growth opportunities. The update comes as major tech platforms rush to integrate AI into search functions, responding to the growing popularity of chatbots and AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Perplexity.
While rivals like Reddit have restricted access to their data for AI training, LinkedIn has not yet imposed limits. Rajiv said the company is still shaping its policies regarding AI browsers and network reasoning tools.
The feature is still evolving. LinkedIn noted that results may vary depending on the phrasing of queries, especially with terms like “YC startup” or “voice AI startup.” The company said it is working to improve how the system understands different types of requests.
