In a tough job market, don’t make AI your only career coach

If you’re like most people, you’re using artificial intelligence in a variety of ways, and you may be relying on its help as a partner in this tough job market. You’re probably even asking AI for career advice. But is this a good idea? The answer is decidedly mixed. For some aspects of career guidance, AI can be helpful. But there are some very big caution flags to be aware of. You are wise to lean in, learn, and use AI. It is sweeping our work and lives, so understanding it and incorporating it for certain tasks is a great idea. You’re less likely to be swept away by the wave if you’ve already learned how to surf. But here are the ways you must be cautious in your use of AI for career advice. MAINTAIN REAL RELATIONSHIPS The most important reason to avoid overreliance on AI for career guidance: You don’t want to replace real relationships or undermine networking. You need to interact with people who know you and can listen to the nuances and complexities of your questions, hopes, and desires for your career. While AI can communicate in a way that feels personal, it will never know you or be able to read your body language or verbal cues like a human. Another reason to ensure that you’re obtaining career advice from real people is that networking is still critical in getting your next opportunity. Fully 54 of people report getting their job through a connection, according to a 2025 survey by MyPerfectResume. Asking for ideas and input from others builds your relationships with them. They’ll have you in mind when the next opportunity comes up and they can connect you with people who can help you. If you get all your advice from AI, you’ll lose the opportunity to create connections that can be helpful in advancing your career. MAINTAIN YOUR CONFIDENCE AND CALM In such a tough job market, it’s easy to lose confidence. You apply for so many jobs and you’re rejected, ghosted, or dismissed from the process. Overreliance on AI can exacerbate this loss of confidence. In fact, if you use AI too much, it can make you dependent on technology, according to research published in the British Journal of Educational Technology. A study published in Acta Psychologica also found that overuse of AI can increase burnout. Techno-stress is another outcome of AI overuse. Techno-stress is the mental or emotional strain people feel in facing the demands of technology’s complexity, constant connectivity, or change. This can create negative emotions and reduce quality of life, according to research published in Behavioral Science. It also drives depression and anxiety, based on studies published in Frontiers in Psychology. All this additional pressure can exacerbate the stress you feel about your job, your career, or your next move. MAINTAIN YOUR CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS Another reason to avoid overreliance on AI for career guidance is to maintain your own critical thinking skills. When you surrender too much of your processing to AI, you have less motivation, you learn less, and you process less deeply. In fact, the British Journal of Educational Technology study also found that greater use of AI resulted in reduced learning, motivation, or interest in a topic. According to a study by MIT researchers, people who used AI most showed less neural activity, less cognitive engagement, and reduced recall about the work they had done compared with those who relied on AI less. Finding the best career fit is deeply personal, and you’ll want to reflect on and understand your own vision for it. AI lacks knowledge about you and your context. It can’t read you like a human, nor can it replace the advice or help that others can offer as they listen, support, and guide you along the way. Use AI for all kinds of information from understanding the job market to customizing your résumé, but stop short of losing your relationships, your calm, and your ability to think.