LinkedIn's CEO is saying the future of work won't belong to people with degrees (fortune.com)

LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky warned that traditional college degrees are losing their edge as the defining credential for career success, predicting employers will prioritize adaptability and AI fluency over pedigree. Speaking at a fireside chat, Roslansky said the “future of work belongs not anymore to the people that have the fanciest degrees” but to candidates who can learn, pivot and embrace AI tools. The comment comes amid broad evidence that generative AI and automation are reshaping entry-level roles—from software development to junior financial analysts—shrinking traditional pathways to high-paying jobs and elevating hands-on technical fluency. For the AI/ML community this is a pivotal signal: hiring and talent pipelines are shifting from degree-based filters toward demonstrable skills—prompt engineering, model orchestration, API integration, data wrangling, and human–AI collaboration. That intensifies demand for alternative credentials (microcredentials, bootcamps, portfolios, GitHub/LinkedIn skill signals) and for continuous reskilling programs. It also raises equity and tooling questions: who gets access to upskilling, and how will platforms and employers validate practical AI competency? Practitioners and educators should therefore double down on practical, project-based learning and clear skill signals to stay relevant as organizations reframe what “qualified” looks like in an AI-first workplace.