Business EconomyPosted at: Jun 16 2026 1:08PM


AI is replacing degrees with "proof of work" in hiring, says Aneesh Raman

Bengaluru, Jun 16 (UNI) LinkedIn Chief Economic Opportunity Officer Aneesh Raman on Tuesday said the global hiring ecosystem is undergoing a fundamental transformation as artificial intelligence reshapes how organisations evaluate talent, moving away from traditional degree-based filtering toward proof of real-world skills and tangible work output.
Speaking on the future of jobs in the age of AI at the book launch of "Open to Work: How to get ahead in the age of AI", Aneesh Raman said that academic credentials, long used as convenient hiring shortcuts by companies, are becoming weaker indicators of job performance.
He noted that degrees from elite institutions have historically acted as proxies for skill, helping recruiters reduce uncertainty, but this system is now evolving as organisations search for more accurate ways to assess capability.
Raman said the most significant shift in hiring will be the rise of "work product" as the primary evaluation standard. Instead of relying mainly on resumes or degrees, employers are increasingly looking for demonstrable outputs such as projects, apps, writing, research, or any visible creation that reflects how a candidate thinks and solves problems in real-world conditions.
He added that artificial intelligence is accelerating this transition by making it easier for individuals to create and showcase work, while also enabling organisations to process large volumes of applications more efficiently. According to him, this dual impact is pushing the hiring ecosystem toward more evidence-based assessment models.
On concerns that AI could widen inequality, Raman said the outcome is not predetermined and depends on how society adopts and governs the technology. He observed that unlike earlier technological revolutions, AI is simultaneously accessible to workers, students, and CEOs, which could help reduce inequality by democratising access to powerful tools.
However, he cautioned that outcomes will depend on adoption, access, and responsible implementation.
He further highlighted that resilience, adaptability, and the ability to navigate failure are becoming increasingly valuable traits in the AI-driven economy.
He said individuals who have faced setbacks or come from challenging backgrounds often develop stronger capabilities in handling uncertainty, which is becoming a critical skill in rapidly changing workplaces.
Raman also said organisations are beginning to value "failed founders" and individuals with non-linear career paths because they demonstrate the ability to operate under pressure, learn quickly, and adapt continuously.
On evolving recruitment processes, he noted that AI-led screening may reduce administrative workload in early hiring stages, but human judgment will remain central in interviews.
He said the interview process itself is becoming more important as automation takes over filtering, allowing recruiters to focus more on storytelling, communication, and real-time assessment of adaptability and thinking.
Addressing job displacement concerns, Raman said that entire job categories are not disappearing but evolving. He cited software engineering as an example, stating that while AI can now generate code, engineers are shifting toward system design, architecture, customer problem-solving, cross-functional collaboration, and ethical decision-making.
He compared this transformation to historical shifts such as the introduction of ATMs, which were expected to eliminate bank teller jobs but instead initially expanded them as roles evolved toward relationship management before later declining due to digital banking.
Raman concluded that it is too early to make definitive predictions about AI's long-term impact on employment, but the clear direction of change is toward fluid job definitions, greater emphasis on adaptability, and a hiring ecosystem increasingly driven by demonstrable capability rather than static credentials.
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