­­Networking for (aspiring) AI professionals by Andrew Tuson

When aspiring AI professionals think of business networking, they sometimes picture it as time-consuming, inauthentic, and transactional. Some worry about the discomfort of approaching strangers and the risk of rejection, while others are put off by the idea of shallow, surface-level conversations. Faced with this, it is easy to think “too hard,” “too exhausting,” or simply “no thanks” – and decide to stay home.

The catch is that, according to Forbes, an estimated 70-80% of job opportunities are not advertised online, but instead filled through referrals and professional networks. Therefore, building a network can significantly increase your chances of landing your dream role.

I had to develop this skill on my own. So how did an AI geek with a dislike of crowds and a touch of social anxiety end up networking with international IT communities 2-3 times a week?

Read on for some do’s and one important don’t…

✅DO warm up

Unless you are a natural social butterfly, you will need a bit of a warm up, especially after a full day at your desk. Getting started can feel tough, but once you have spoken to a few people it quickly becomes easier. A helpful tip is to look for someone who is on their own and simply introduce yourself.

After you have attended a few events and begin recognising familiar faces, approach them first. They will often introduce you to new people, and it is much easier to start a conversation through an introduction.

Take your time, work at your own pace.

✅DO take an active interest in others

One great way to ensure positive interactions is to stop thinking about networking as a hunt for job leads or business cards. Instead, focus on meeting people with similar interests and simply getting to know them better. This approach takes away much of the pressure. Plus, people remember genuine, positive interactions – which sets you up for future events.

Always aim to leave others feeling better than when you first met them.

✅DO have an “elevator pitch”

Having a short, 30-second description of yourself, what you do and what kind of roles you are looking for is very useful – it will often come up in conversations.

It is perfectly fine to say you a looking for a position, or an entry role, and just as fine to mention that you are new to a particular field.

What you should avoid, however, are long monologues. Keep it concise so the other person has space to share their own interests (see above).

✅DO follow your interests

Make things easier on yourself by attending events that genuinely interest you.

You will also find it much easier to join conversations when you really care about the topic. For example, a common post-talk discussion is sharing opinions of a speaker’s presentation – so having some constructive thoughts ready will make conversations flow more naturally.

✅DO follow up

If you are having a good interaction but you feel the energy starting to fade, that is a good moment to exchange details. In the tech industry this often means connecting on LinkedIn. Remember to send a follow-up message within a few days to keep the connection alive.

Building a good LinkedIn profile is very important, so take time to learn how to do that.

✅DO build value

If you follow the advice above, you will soon know a wide range of people along with their interests and expertise. So do not hesitate to connect them with each other, or to offer help – even in small ways.

Also, be ready to contribute to the community. This could mean helping to organise events or delivering a presentation.

Karma works in networking. Give and you will receive.

✅DO practice and persevere

Talking to strangers gets a lot easier the more you do it. As you meet more people, you will also have more value to share – and you will start getting introductions from those you already know.

Networking pays off in the medium to long term. Consistent effort over time is what really makes the difference.

Remember also the “power of weak ties”. Casual connections and loose acquaintances are sometimes more useful than close ones when it comes to job opportunities, as they are more likely to bring you leads you wouldn’t otherwise encounter.

Now for the most important piece of advice, the don’t of networking.

❌DON’T take the hard-sell approach

I have seen people approach networking by moving quickly from one conversation to the next, delivering their pitch in search of a quick win. It often comes from genuine enthusiasm or pressure to achieve quick results, but this approach can unintentionally give networking a negative reputation. More importantly, it usually is not enjoyable for either side – and over time, it can feel draining and unsustainable.

Strong, high-value networks take time to build, and they will not grow from inauthenticity.

Be patient. Be chill. Help build a community.

Then the opportunities will start to find you. Good luck!

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About the author

Andrew Tuson is the Director of Studies for International Programmes at the Warsaw School of Computer Science. He supports Polish researchers in publishing and communicating their work in English, teaches Master’s students, and contributes to the EU-funded ARISA project, which develops AI skills in Europe.

Previously, Andrew worked as a consultant, leading change and turnaround projects across higher education with a focus on skills development, professional education, and industry engagement. He established pioneering IT skills initiatives, including the UK’s first executive master’s for future IT leaders, and built strong links with industry leaders and stakeholders.

Earlier in his career, Andrew conducted research on intelligent optimisation methods and applications, publishing over 40 peer-reviewed papers and supervising PhD students, while also serving on international conference committees.