In this insightful interview with the Center for Strategic & International Studies, Karin Kimbrough breaks down the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market. LinkedIn’s Chief Economist explains how small businesses are emerging as enthusiastic adopters of AI and stresses the crucial importance of “AI literacy” and human skills to navigate this massive transition.
Artificial intelligence is at the heart of a profound transformation, seen not only as a risk but above all as a major source of economic opportunity. According to Karin Kimbrough, a nation’s economic security ultimately depends on the ability of companies and workers to adapt and innovate. Her analysis—based on granular, real-time data from 1.2 billion LinkedIn members—offers a unique perspective on this transition.
Despite the technological enthusiasm, the global job market is experiencing a period of weak momentum. Kimbrough notes that the hiring pace in the United States is currently 20% slower than before the pandemic. She attributes this slowdown primarily to macroeconomic factors—such as the hiring surge of 2021–2022 and rising interest rates—rather than to the emergence of AI alone.
However, within this bleak context, demand for certain profiles is soaring. The need for AI engineers, for instance, is growing by 25% to 30% per year, creating a significant gap between supply and demand. Large tech and financial companies are the first adopters, while small and medium-sized firms struggle to compete for these costly specialists.
Yet SMEs—the backbone of the American economy—are paradoxically the most eager to embrace generative AI. Despite limited financial resources and difficulty accessing talent, small and medium-sized businesses are using AI primarily for creativity, innovation, automation of routine tasks, and process simplification. For them, AI is a crucial lever to remain competitive.
Still, economy-wide AI adoption remains gradual. Kimbrough believes that although AI represents a massive, revolutionary shift that will redefine jobs, realizing its full productivity potential is still several years away. This transition phase is described as the “messy middle”: a potentially painful period during which anxious workers must acquire new skills.
The Skills of the Future
The good news is that the fastest-growing skill is not cutting-edge technical expertise but “AI literacy.” This foundational skill—using generative AI tools effectively in one’s professional field—is accessible to everyone and represents a powerful entry point into the new economy.
At the same time, demand for skilled trades (plumbers, electricians, welders) remains extremely strong. The infrastructure boom—construction of data centers, power grids—creates stable and essential jobs, proving that AI does not threaten all sectors uniformly.
Finally, Kimbrough highlights the timeless value of human skills. Compassionate leadership, complex negotiation, and the ability to articulate a vision are more sought-after than ever, as these are areas AI still cannot replicate.
Facing these challenges, the economist calls on policymakers to focus on skills development and training to avoid leaving workers behind. She also stresses the importance of ensuring privacy, security, and trust in the use of these new tools.
For Karin Kimbrough, while the U.S. labor market benefits from its flexibility and dynamism, the successful integration of AI will depend on the ability of individuals and institutions to invest in skills—whether technological or purely human—and to use real-time data to navigate this new technological era with prudence and optimism.
