LinkedIn Data Shows Executives Upskilling AI Over Traditional Skills

Forbes

29-04-2025

According to LinkedIn's data, C-suite executives are 1.2 times more likely than the rest of the ... More workforce to add AI-related skills to their profiles.
In boardrooms from London to Singapore, the conversation around artificial intelligence has shifted dramatically. No longer a speculative investment or a buzzword tossed around in innovation decks, AI is becoming a core competency for today's leaders. And according to newly released data from LinkedIn, the shift isn't just philosophical—it's tangible.
Three times as many C-suite executives are listing AI literacy skills like prompt engineering and generative AI tools on their LinkedIn profiles today compared to two years ago. This trend underscores a critical transformation is underway: AI literacy is moving from the periphery to the core of executive leadership.
The impact of AI on jobs, skills and businesses in just a few years means that every executive must now understand what the technology can do to successfully lead their function, and drive productivity and innovation. Microsoft's 2025 Work Trend Index highlights how profoundly AI will transform organizations and the necessity to prepare for change today.
Leaders are taking note. According to LinkedIn's data, C-suite executives are 1.2 times more likely than the rest of the workforce to add AI-related skills to their profiles. That's a significant shift and one that reflects a growing understanding that AI adoption starts at the top.
This isn't just about optics or résumé padding. An overwhelming 88% of global C-suite leaders say accelerating AI adoption is a top priority for 2025. Early data suggests a positive return on investment: more than half of companies that have already begun integrating AI tools report a revenue boost of at least 10%, finds LinkedIn.
But ambition alone doesn't guarantee execution. Four in ten executives admit their own leadership teams are a barrier to AI integration—whether due to a lack of training, skepticism about return on investment or simply being unprepared for the cultural shifts AI demands. In short, while leaders understand the 'why' of AI, many are still grappling with the 'how.'
One reason AI is climbing the leadership agenda is because it's rapidly becoming a business necessity. LinkedIn's research found that AI literacy is now one of the most in-demand skills across all job roles. Among C-suites, it has even overtaken traditional executive traits like operational experience or financial acumen as the most important skillset needed to navigate change.
That's not just influencing how leaders view their own development—it's changing how they hire. Eight in ten business leaders say they'd rather hire someone who's comfortable with AI tools than someone with more traditional experience but less AI fluency. Experience still matters but only if it's future-proof.
This signals a profound reshaping of executive leadership. AI literacy is no longer optional. It's a defining capability—one that determines whether an executive can lead through the complexity of digital transformation or risks falling behind it.
Dan Shapero, LinkedIn's Chief Operating Officer, echoed this urgency, noting that leadership— and not just technology—is often the true gatekeeper for AI transformation. In an interview, he told me, 'AI adoption is fundamentally a leadership challenge as much as a technology one.' Shapero added that while many organizations recognize the need for technological change, 'they underestimate the profound level of change management required to bring AI into the daily habits of their teams.'
This is why modeling change is crucial - it's simply not enough for leaders to endorse AI from the sidelines. They have to show up—hands-on and informed. That means not just talking about AI in strategy meetings but actively using it in decision-making, team management and personal productivity. Leaders who model AI literacy signal that it's not a job for a future hire or a specialized department—it's a shared responsibility.
Shishir Mehrotra, CEO of Grammarly, has been doing exactly this. He told me in a written statement, 'Personally, AI helps me scale my day-to-day work by handling tasks that would otherwise eat up hours of my time—capturing action items from customer conversations, drafting initial follow-up messages, and quickly locating buried information across docs.'
Likewise, Anahita Tafvizi, the chief data analytics officer at Snowflake, said: 'The AI landscape is evolving fast, and leaders who continuously engage, experiment, and sharpen their own skills will be best positioned to guide their teams and drive results.'
This behavior shift has real downstream effects. When the C-suite leads with confidence in AI tools, it gives teams permission—and incentive—to do the same. Culture follows example. And right now the example needs to be set from the top.
From Classroom to Boardroom: Making AI Learning Accessible
To bridge the gap between intention and execution, LinkedIn and Microsoft are offering free access to a suite of AI-focused learning courses and professional certificates through the end of 2025. These aren't generic introductions—they're designed specifically for leadership roles.
One program AI for Organizational Leaders includes six targeted courses focused on helping executives make informed decisions about AI strategy, understand the business implications of generative AI and harness these tools for competitive advantage. Another AI for Managers aims to arm mid-level leaders with practical applications—from improving team meetings to building collaborative cultures using AI.
Beyond these flagship certificates, LinkedIn and Microsoft have launched over 150 AI Skill Pathways covering various roles and levels within the LinkedIn AI Upskilling Framework. It's a roadmap that reflects the multifaceted nature of AI readiness and the urgency of equipping entire organizations, not just individual departments, with the tools to thrive.
The rapid rise of AI-literate executives reflects a broader truth: leadership in the age of AI means knowing what questions to ask, understanding the tools that can help, and being open to continuously learning. As technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, the ability to adapt, experiment and lead by example will be what separates tomorrow's winners from today's status quo.