Hiring today is harder than ever—for job seekers and recruiters alike. Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing hiring—but not how you think. In an exclusive conversation with ET, Aneesh Raman, chief economic opportunity officer at professional networking site, LinkedIn revealed that more than 200 million professionals globally have signalled that they are open to work, yet nearly half of Indian professionals say they are applying more but hearing back less.At the same time, recruiters say finding qualified talent has become tougher.“We’re seeing more applications, but also more frustration,” said Raman. “Nearly 70% of recruiters in India say it’s harder to find the right talent. AI is stepping in to bridge this gap.”With 84% of Indian recruiters believing it improves the quality of hires, AI is already rewriting the hiring playbook. LinkedIn data shows that AI-assisted messages to candidates see a 44% acceptance rate—11% faster than traditional outreach.But here’s the twist—AI isn’t just changing how companies hire, it’s forcing them to rethink who they hire. “Jobs are no longer best understood as titles, but as a set of tasks,” said Raman. “And as AI reshapes those tasks, the only way forward is to hire for skills, not credentials alone.”AI isn’t just another tech investment—it’s a fundamental shift in how businesses operate.Raman said, “Despite 98% of Indian C-suite leaders saying AI adoption is critical, most organisations are struggling with change management”. He added, “The biggest barrier isn’t the technology—it’s the leadership mindset. AI isn’t just a tool; it’s a culture shift. Companies that treat it as a tech upgrade will be left behind.”So far, AI adoption is working best where CTOs and CHROs are leading the charge together, ensuring AI is not just about automation, but also about building a more innovative workforce.AI is disrupting hiring, while also rewriting the job description of managers. As automation takes over routine tasks, the role of a manager is shifting from oversight to mentorship.“This is not a future trend—it’s already happening,” Raman said. “If organisations don’t rethink how they manage people, they will be disrupted.”LinkedIn data shows that 85% of CHROs believe managerial roles must be redefined in an AI-driven world. The new mandate? Less task supervision, more leadership, innovation, and team development.AI handles data, analysis, and repetitive tasks—but, at present, it still can’t replace human curiosity, creativity, and judgment. That’s why communication, problem-solving, and adaptability are emerging as the most in-demand skills across industries.“The new hard skills are the non-technical skills—curiosity, compassion, creativity, courage, and communication,” said Raman. “AI is shifting work in a way that makes our human abilities the differentiator.”This shift is already redefining hiring criteria. GitHub’s AI-powered Copilot, which helps developers code more efficiently, has reshaped software engineering hiring—companies no longer prioritise computer science degrees but focus on problem-solving and interpersonal skills.“The shelf life of credentials is shrinking,” Raman said. “If you’re not hiring for skills today, you’re already falling behind.”Just as the internet did two decades ago, AI is creating wholly new job categories. Expect roles like ‘Talent Consultants’ and ‘Chief AI Officers’ to become mainstream.“This is bigger than AI. This is about the evolution of human work,” Raman says. “The future will belong to those who embrace change and build the skills to thrive in the innovation economy.”