LinkedIn introduces verified AI skill certificates powered by real tool usage

LinkedIn

• LinkedIn users can now show verified AI skill certifications from partner platforms.
• Certifications are based on real-world tool usage, not traditional exams
• Programme to grow with GitHub and Zapier, enhancing skills' credibility.

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LinkedIn has announced a new feature that allows users to display verified AI skill certifications on their profiles, using real-world usage data from a growing list of partner platforms. The move is aimed at making skill claims more credible at a time when AI fluency is rapidly becoming a baseline requirement across industries.

The Microsoft-owned professional network said the new certifications will be generated through partnerships with several AI-first tools, including Descript, Lovable, Replit, and Relay.app. These platforms will assess users continuously as they work, using AI systems to evaluate patterns such as how tools are used, the outcomes produced, and overall proficiency within each product.

Unlike traditional certificates that rely on exams or short assessments, LinkedIn’s approach focuses on demonstrated ability over time. As users build, edit, code, or deploy projects inside partner apps, those platforms will determine whether someone meets the threshold for proficiency. Once approved, the certification will automatically appear on the user’s LinkedIn profile alongside other listed skills.

LinkedIn has not shared specific criteria for what qualifies as “proficient”, nor has it explained how long users would need to use a tool before becoming eligible. That lack of detail suggests that standards may vary between partners, at least initially. Still, the company is positioning the system as a more trustworthy signal than endorsements or manually added skills.

The company plans to expand the programme in the coming months. Additional partners already confirmed include Gamma, GitHub, and Zapier, and LinkedIn says it is actively inviting more companies to apply to join the verified skills initiative. This signals a broader ambition to turn LinkedIn profiles into living records of applied technical capability rather than static CV-style summaries.

Hari Srinivasan, Vice President of Product at LinkedIn, said the shift reflects how hiring expectations are changing. According to him, employers now care less about theoretical knowledge and more about whether candidates can use modern tools to deliver real outcomes. He also linked the new feature to LinkedIn’s existing identity verification system, which has already been adopted by more than 100 million users, framing verified skills as the next layer of trust on the platform.

The timing aligns with broader hiring trends. A report published by edX last August found that job postings requiring AI skills doubled over a 12-month period. Separate data from Indeed’s Hiring Lab showed that by the end of 2025, around 4.2 percent of US job listings mentioned AI-related keywords. While technology roles still dominate AI-related hiring, the reports noted growing demand in sectors such as banking, marketing, and other non-traditional tech fields.

By tying certifications directly to tools like Replit and GitHub, LinkedIn is also leaning into a more practical definition of AI literacy. This approach may appeal to employers frustrated by inflated skill claims, while giving candidates a way to stand out without sitting yet another test. At the same time, it raises questions around transparency, consistency, and how disputes might be handled if users disagree with an automated assessment.

For now, LinkedIn appears to be betting that proof of work will matter more than buzzwords. If widely adopted, verified AI skills could reshape how professionals signal competence in an increasingly tool-driven job market.