Beijing‑based computer programmer Fei Zhaojun was asked by his boss whether artificial intelligence could soon replace human coders. Two weeks later, he and roughly 160 colleagues were laid off. Fei’s experience reflects a growing trend across China as the government encourages the use of AI and robotics in every sector.
AI Adoption Accelerates Across Industries
According to market‑intelligence firm IDC, the share of Chinese industrial enterprises using AI models and “agents” jumped to 47.5% last year from just 9.6% in 2024. The surge is driven by the nation’s “AI Plus” initiative and its five‑year plan that aims to embed AI throughout the economy, seeking an edge in the technology rivalry with the United States.
Analysts note that AI is now being deployed for tasks ranging from software development and script writing to parcel sorting, traffic direction and coffee making. Humanoid and delivery robots are already operating in limited trials, threatening the livelihoods of millions of delivery workers.
Workers Feel the Impact
Mid‑level coders like Fei say their jobs are increasingly replaceable. “Even if it is a disaster that leads to replacing all humans, at this stage you just have to use it as everyone else is using it,” he said.
Du Qinchun, a part‑time translator in Chengdu, has begun training an AI model for translations, which temporarily boosted his workload. However, he warned that pay in the translation industry has been cut by more than half compared with a few years ago.
In the short‑form video and drama sector, the number of live‑action short and vertical video series fell about 75% in the first quarter of this year, as AI‑generated content replaces human creators.
Gender Disparities and Economic Concerns
A report from the International Labour Organization found that women face higher risks of job loss from AI, as they are over‑represented in roles such as electronics assembly that are more easily automated.
China’s overall urban unemployment rate hovers around 5%, but unemployment for 16‑ to 24‑year‑olds is roughly three times higher. The slowdown in consumer spending, coupled with a prolonged housing‑market downturn, has further strained household wealth.
Adapting and Finding New Opportunities
Some workers are turning AI into a tool for entrepreneurship. Fei now creates short vlog‑style videos during a career break, hoping to help others navigate the changing job market. Wang Zhicheng, a former scriptwriter, left his employer after a mass layoff and now runs an independent studio producing illustrated children’s books, using AI for brainstorming and fact‑checking.
High‑school chemistry teacher Yang Zheng sees AI as a supplement rather than a threat, noting that it can provide real‑time assistance to students, even if it sometimes makes mistakes.
Long‑Term Outlook
Experts suggest that while AI will boost productivity, it could also exacerbate employment challenges and social stability in the short term. However, as China’s population ages and the working‑age pool shrinks, automation may help offset labor shortages.
Overall, the rapid diffusion of AI across Chinese industry presents both risks and opportunities, prompting workers to adapt, reskill, and explore new business models in an increasingly automated economy.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
