China’s AI Revolution Sparks Widespread Workplace Anxiety

HONG KONG — Computer programmer Fei Zhaojun’s employer questioned whether artificial intelligence could soon replace humans in coding roles. Two weeks later, he was dismissed from his position in Beijing, joining roughly 160 colleagues who faced layoffs.

This scenario is increasingly common. As artificial intelligence—backed heavily by government policies—reshapes China’s vast job market, rapid adoption across diverse sectors, from software development to logistics and administration, is displacing workers. Humanoid robots are already sorting parcels in post offices and testing their ability to perform human-like tasks such as directing traffic and operating café services, while food delivery robots expand their operations nationwide. In China’s burgeoning short drama industry, generative AI has fundamentally altered content creation. The volume of live-action short and vertical video series designed for mobile devices plummeted by approximately 75% in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous year.

Despite fears, surveys indicate relatively high acceptance of AI among the populace in China—a stark contrast to other regions. Shujing He, a senior analyst at Plenum Advisory, noted that sentiment toward AI is predominantly positive or neutral, with many individuals eager to experiment with AI-enabled ventures and independent businesses. This adaptability aligns with broader industry trends, such as Du Qinchun, a part-time translator in Chengdu, who has trained an AI model to handle translations, securing temporary employment despite the challenge. Industry wages have suffered significantly, dropping by more than half over recent years, raising questions about local economy viability.

Economists caution that technology raises both opportunities and instability. Robert Prasad, a Cornell University professor of economics and trade policy, warns that while AI enhances productivity, it could severely disrupt employment, worsening job growth stagnation and threatening social stability. Meanwhile, major Chinese tech giants continue to restructure workforces in alignment with the National “AI Plus” initiative, aggressively integrating AI across multiple sectors to secure technological parity with the United States.

Projections also underscore the urgency of the transition. As of 2050, China is expected to have fewer than two working-age adults to support every retiree, a drop from the U.S. average. Yet demographers argue automation may offer a mitigating solution by compensating for a rapidly aging labor pool. Professor Xuenan Cao observed that “China’s vibrant open‑source model ecosystem fosters greater AI application innovation, narrowing the gap between foundational models and real‑world enterprise value.”

However, the short‑term outlook remains precarious. The transition may temporarily destabilize wages and increase youth unemployment, while older professionals grapple with skill obsolescence. Wang Zhicheng, a former scriptwriter forced to resign after his parent company reduced its staff, illustrates the pivot many take: he now creates illustrated children’s books after AI initially produced draft scripts that often yielded repetitive, formulaic results lacking deep nuance. Even highly educated teachers remain ambivalent, acknowledging that AI struggles with accuracy but offering it as a dynamic teaching aid for real‑time inquiry.

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Fu Ting reported from Washington. AP video producer Wu Jia in Beijing contributed to this story.

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