New Delhi, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in various sectors is transforming work dynamics in China. While productivity is on the rise, fears of job loss, especially among the youth, are increasing.
According to a report by Quartz, Beijing is striving to implement AI across nearly every sector of its economy. This shift is impacting employees from software development to delivery services. One such case is that of programmer Fei Zhaojun from Beijing, who lost his job when his company began exploring whether AI could handle coding tasks traditionally performed by humans. Fei was among approximately 160 employees laid off during the company’s downsizing.
Fei noted that AI’s capabilities are continuously improving, leading to many mid-level programming jobs becoming easily replaceable. After losing his position, he distanced himself from the tech industry and is now creating short videos while contemplating his next career move.
The pace at which China is adopting AI is remarkable. Market intelligence firm IDC reported that in 2024, fewer than 10% of Chinese industrial companies were utilizing AI models and agents. That figure surged to nearly 50% last year, highlighting the urgency with which companies are embracing this technology to cut costs and enhance efficiency.
This transformation is also evident in daily life. Humanoid robots are being deployed in logistics, equipped for tasks such as sorting parcels, while autonomous machines are managing traffic. Food delivery robots are becoming increasingly common in cities, raising concerns about the future of millions employed in delivery services.
The labor market is facing these challenges amid existing difficulties for Chinese youth. The urban unemployment rate stands at around 5%, but it is significantly higher among those aged 16 to 24 who are not in education. This demographic’s unemployment rate is nearly three times the national average. Experts warn that widespread automation may make it even harder for young people to secure stable jobs.
Economists acknowledge the clear benefits of AI, but they caution that such changes may lead to significant social consequences. While automation can boost productivity and support economic growth, a failure to create new jobs swiftly could exacerbate unemployment pressures and lead to social instability.
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