For years, the hype around Artificial Intelligence (AI) has followed a familiar pattern best described by the Dunning–Kruger Effect: when something feels new and exciting, we often overestimate both our understanding of it and its potential to transform the world overnight.
That moment came when Generative AI (GenAI) burst onto the scene, promising – at the very least – faster workflows and new business models, while the more extreme predictions ranged from humans no longer having to work and achieving immortality.
Indeed, media hype has powered the AI juggernaut to a big extent, helping to fuel extraordinary investments in this cutting-edge technology.
In 2020, Berkshire Hathaway company Businesswire estimated that the global market for AI was roughly US$46.9bn. Five years on, a study by Fortune Business Insights estimates the global AI market to be worth more than US$294bn – a staggering 527% jump in value.
According to a report summarised by NASDAQ, Dell’Oro Group, the top ten tech firms globally are expected to spend more than $1tn on data centers by 2028.
However, as the dust settles, it appears that reality is beginning to bite for many organisations.
A recent study by MIT found that despite more than US$40bn in enterprise investment, 95% of U.S. organisations are seeing zero return on investment from their AI pilots.
Closer to home, a new LinkedIn survey reveals that Aussie professionals feel overwhelmed by rising AI expectations, with almost half (46%) feeling that mastering AI is like a second job. Interestingly, just one in four (25%) say they trust AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia recently rehired 45 call centre workers it had earlier replaced with AI chatbots after the technology failed to live up to expectations. The Finance Sector Union has described the reversal as a “major win”, after it raised a dispute at the Fair Work Commission.
AI expectations impacting wellbeing and confidence
LinkedIn’s study found that one in three (37%) Aussies say the current pace of change is not sustainable for their wellbeing, and younger Aussie professionals are feeling it most. The research found that Gen Z (21%) and Millennial (22%) professionals are nearly twice as likely to exaggerate or lie about their AI skills at work, compared to Gen X and older (11%).
And this pressure at work is becoming a prevalent conversation on LinkedIn globally, where there has been a 60% increase in the number of professionals posting about feeling overwhelmed and navigating change, and a 29% uptick globally in people posting about AI-related topics over the last year.
However, Australians are starting to turn that pressure into progress.
“Through AI, everyone has access to information and it’s becoming a commodity. It’s the guidance of colleagues and mentors that helps people make confident decisions,” Brendan Wong, Career Expert at LinkedIn Australia, said.
“When the pressure’s on, the uniquely Aussie instinct kicks-in. We still look to each other first – leaning on our mates, colleagues and mentors that help people cut through the noise and make confident decisions.”
While the Dunning-Kruger effect might begin with a false sense of mastery and lead to a plateau, the curve rises again once people gradually learn the skill and improve their competency.
So, it’s not that AI as a tool is a dud – it’s that many individuals and organisations simply aren’t taking a methodical approach to getting the best out of it.
Below, LinkedIn shares some Career Expert tips on how to grow confidence in using AI through your network:
1. Be open about what you don’t know
It’s okay not to have all the answers. Reach out to trusted colleagues or mentors and ask specific questions like, “How did you get comfortable using AI tools in your work?” or “What resources helped you learn the most?” Being honest about what you’re still figuring out invites support and practical advice.
2. Follow and learn from expert voices beyond your immediate circle
Expand who you follow and engage with on LinkedIn and beyond. Find creators, industry leaders, and peers who share tips and insights on AI, entrepreneurship, career growth, and more. With the launch of new Shows by LinkedIn, members can find relevant content from creators they trust on the topics that matter most to them. Whether you’re tuning into AI in Action, Founder’s Blueprint, Small Business Builders, or The CEO Playbook, there’s something new to help you get the insights you need to succeed at your job—making learning feel less overwhelming and more relevant to your goals.
3. Take agency of your upskilling
While building AI skills doesn’t have to be a solo journey, it helps to be in the driver’s seat of your own growth. Take charge of your growth with free LinkedIn Learning courses like Nano Tips for Effective Networking at Work, and Super Connecting: The Secret of Professional Networking, and learn at your own pace. And don’t miss LinkedIn’s first-ever AI in Work Day on September 30 — a live event packed with practical advice, tips and tools to help you use AI in your everyday work.