Why AI Could Outperform You at Networking
Will AI replace professional networkers? The answer may surprise you.
During a recent virtual networking session on Zoom, three unexpected “attendees” appeared in my waiting room:
Otter Notetaker
Bob’s Notetaking Service
AI Meeting Assistant
Yes… at a networking event!
Nice to meet you, Otter, Bob, and AI Meeting Assistant.
How can I help you today?
I guess networking isn’t just for humans anymore.
The “real” Bob later explained he was too busy to attend himself but planned to follow up with the attendees after reviewing the “event notes” that his AI stand-in had prepared.
That’s when I realized how disruptive AI could be for genuine professionals who rely on building real connections.
Could AI soon make the human professional networker obsolete?
🤴 Networking Is King, But AI Is Storming The Castle
I’d seen a lot in business, but appointing AI as CEO is a first.
A company called HeyBoss recently announced a new CEO … Astra, an agentic AI.
Astra, the new CEO, has taken on more responsibility over time, and has undergone “months” of testing. She first started out working on making the company’s online games better—helping refine visuals, optimize code, and accelerate production.
Bill Gates himself has suggested that AI may soon render humans ‘unnecessary’ for most things.
According to Gates, AI may replace doctors, teachers, mental health professionals, and other roles within the next decade.
“There’s a lot of great stuff coming along,” the philanthropist said. “So I’m a little more optimistic about that than people who don’t get to see that innovation pipeline.” - People, March 29, 2025
If prestigious roles like doctors and teachers aren’t safe from AI, why should professional networking be any different?
😲 AI Is About to Change Networking Forever
Networking has always been about building relationships, trust, and human connection.
But now, artificial intelligence is stepping into the game, and it’s helping humans connect. In some cases, it may be able to do it better.
AI is already playing significant roles in business networking, such as:
Handling administrative tasks - AI can automate tasks like scheduling, sending follow-up emails, and tracking progress, which allows professionals to spend more time on building relationships.
Matching connections - AI algorithms can analyze data to help identify potential connections and recommend jobs or companies that align with a person’s skills, experience, and values.
Providing insights - AI can analyze large datasets to provide key insights that can help guide networking strategies, making them more efficient and effective.
So, where does AI come up short?
🤖 Why AI Still Can’t Master Real Networking … Yet
Many believe that AI will not replace professional networkers because it lacks the human elements of trust, authenticity, and nuanced emotional connection that are crucial for building and maintaining relationships.
Impressive as it is, AI still falls short when it comes to human connection in the following ways:
Trust and empathy - Human connection is built on trust, which stems from empathy and emotional intelligence, qualities that AI currently lacks.
Authenticity - Real-life interactions involve subtle cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, which build a deeper level of connection and understanding that AI cannot replicate.
Nuance - Human conversations are subtle and contextual in a way that artificial intelligence cannot fully capture, making human insight and connection irreplaceable for building a strong network.
Humans notice the small details and subtleties that algorithms miss, such as the right time to connect two professionals, or when a little humor can keep a conversation flowing.
Artificial Intelligence is good.
But not that good.
Yet.
✅ The Takeaway
The future of business networking involves a partnership between humans and AI, where professionals use AI tools to enhance their efficiency while prioritizing genuine human connection.
Those who can effectively combine the power of AI with strong interpersonal skills will be the most successful, as they will be able to build and maintain real, trust-based relationships in an increasingly automated world.
And what about those AI agents that showed up in my Zoom waiting room, each acting on behalf of a real professional?
I removed them.
After all, they weren’t going to help anyone.
They offered no value, insights, or ideas.
They weren’t … networking.
I’m just not ready to network with AI agents, robots, or anything that doesn’t have a heartbeat.
If it doesn’t have feelings, empathy, or a pulse, it’s not the kind of connection I value.
Call me old-fashioned, but we’re not that far into the AI era.
Not yet, at least.
The bottom line is that AI is a very powerful tool, but the heart of networking remains human. Your ability to listen, empathize, and connect will never be fully replaced. Instead, smart networkers will use AI to become even better at what humans do best.
Embrace AI, but don’t fear it. Your relationships, intuition, and ability to connect are irreplaceable.
Have a great week!
- Mike
