Indian professionals trust human judgement over AI in key decisions: LinkedIn report

Despite rising adoption of artificial intelligence in workplaces, Indian employees remain firm that human instinct and collaboration remain central to effective decision-making

As artificial intelligence tools continue to transform the workplace, Indian professionals are drawing a clear boundary on their use. According to LinkedIn’s latest research, 83 per cent of professionals in India believe that instincts and trusted colleagues play a more decisive role than AI when it comes to major decisions. While 76 per cent agree that workplace decision-making has become faster with AI adoption, 72 per cent feel mastering the technology is critical to advancing their careers.

Yet, expectations appear to be outpacing comfort levels. Nearly 67 per cent of professionals report feeling overwhelmed by the speed at which they are expected to adapt to AI, while 61 per cent admit they are not harnessing the tools to their full potential. Leaders are setting the bar high too, with 73 per cent of organisations expecting employees to integrate AI into their workflows, and 64 per cent of executives planning to include AI proficiency in hiring and performance evaluations.

Balancing optimism and pressure

Despite the pressure, many professionals see AI as a valuable partner rather than a substitute for judgement. “AI is a brilliant copilot, but it’s not a crutch. It can draft, sort, and surface options at speed, but careers still move on the strength of your judgement, your relationships, and your story. In moments that matter, people don’t call a tool; they call a person they trust,” said Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and India Sr. Managing Editor.

This sentiment is reflected in workplace habits. About 75 per cent of respondents said they find AI most useful for drafting and writing tasks, but not for making actual decisions. When faced with complex choices, 76 per cent turn to colleagues or managers for guidance, while 83 per cent of executives acknowledge that sound business decisions rely on human insight.

At the same time, professionals are proactively upskilling. LinkedIn noted a 30 per cent increase in peer-to-peer engagement on its platform as workers leaned on colleagues for advice. Around 81 per cent of respondents said they enjoy experimenting with AI, 79 per cent are self-learning with free resources, 73 per cent are investing in paid courses, and 78 per cent are actively exploring new tools and content.

The findings highlight a nuanced approach: while Indian professionals welcome AI as a productivity enhancer, they remain firm that the final word on critical workplace decisions rests with human judgement.