Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly prevalent in the workplace, but when talking to certain professionals, it seems that there is a biased understanding of AI, or even a serious lack of knowledge that is not openly acknowledged. A recent study conducted by LinkedIn among 19,000 professionals confirms this perception: one in three professionals hides their lack of AI skills for fear of being judged. Conducted among 19,000 professionals, this survey also shows that networking remains the primary source of trust, well ahead of search engines or AI itself.
Learning about AI is perceived as an additional burden
For 51% of respondents, learning about constantly evolving artificial intelligence tools is like taking on a “second job.” This pressure adds to their daily responsibilities and creates a feeling of overload, as the field of AI is vast and it is often difficult to know where to start without proper guidance.
Fear of judgment: a barrier to learning
Among the most telling figures, 33% of professionals say they feel uncomfortable about their limited understanding of AI. Worse still, 35% of those surveyed do not dare to talk about it at work for fear of appearing out of touch.
In addition to personal pressure, this fear of judgment hinders skills development and widens the gap. For professionals, this lack of skills can create discomfort, and during discussions, we regularly encounter C-level executives who ask us directly how they can improve their skills, if only to “understand AI.” It is clear that decision-makers do not need to be experts in artificial intelligence. However, it is essential that they understand its full potential and how to integrate it into their business.
Well-being and mental pressure
In terms of “well-being at work,” the study also highlights a direct impact on mental health. In fact, 41% of respondents believe that the rapid pace of AI developments is detrimental to their personal balance.
Younger generations are even more affected by this technological pressure. Generation Z (born after 2000) is almost twice as likely as Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) to exaggerate their AI skills in order to bolster their professional credibility.
This is a risky strategy, but one that reveals the general pressure felt when entering the workforce.
One of SerendipAI’s missions is to make AI accessible to everyone!
This report only confirms an observation we had already made at SerendipAI through our various missions. In 2025, AI is everywhere and must be, according to the collective consciousness, if not mastered on a technical level, at least understood by everyone, both those who use it and those who have to make strategic decisions.
It is for all these reasons that, among our services, we at SerendipAI wanted to make AI accessible, regardless of professional level or needs.
Through our customized training courses, we are able to provide all the knowledge needed to understand artificial intelligence, both at a theoretical level for decision-makers and at a technical level for developers.
Conclusion
This study highlights a paradox: artificial intelligence is becoming more widespread, but many professionals hide their lack of expertise for fear of being judged. In this context, SerendipAI positions itself as a solid and trusted partner for developing theoretical and technical skills.
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