The rapid deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across China is raising concerns over growing job losses, with workers in both blue-collar and white-collar sectors increasingly facing uncertainty in an already fragile labour market, according to a media report.
The report said the expansion of AI-powered technologies is accelerating automation across industries, prompting fears that millions of workers could be displaced in the coming years.
Robotaxis and AI Replacing Traditional Jobs
According to the report, taxi drivers in Wuhan temporarily lost their livelihoods after driverless taxis were introduced in the city. Some drivers returned to work only after several autonomous vehicles reportedly stalled on roads, causing traffic disruptions and leading authorities to suspend part of the fleet for investigation.
The report also noted that AI is increasingly replacing white-collar professionals. It cited the example of Beijing-based cinematographer Tian Zemin, who said he lost his job after nearly two decades in the film industry due to AI-powered software.
Labour Market Faces Fresh Challenges
Speaking at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping said artificial intelligence should become “an important driver for shared prosperity and common security.”
However, the report noted that China’s labour market is already under pressure. As industries such as real estate and education have slowed, many workers have shifted to the gig economy. A think tank estimates that around 320 million people will be engaged in flexible employment this year, compared to 160 million in 2019, accounting for nearly 44 per cent of China’s workforce.
Experts Warn of More Displacement Ahead
The report said recent court rulings in China have awarded compensation to some employees who were laid off after being replaced by AI. Nevertheless, many workers remain worried that rapid automation will reduce employment opportunities.
While analysts believe the Chinese government could use its influence over the private sector to introduce hiring quotas or other safeguards, they caution that such measures may not come soon enough to protect jobs already being affected by AI-driven automation.