Computer programmer Fei Zhaojun said his boss once asked whether artificial intelligence (AI) could soon replace humans in programming-related tasks. Just two weeks later, he was laid off from his company in Beijing along with about 160 other colleagues.
Fei Zhaojun's story is not an isolated case. Across China, many workers are facing fears of replacement as AI is increasingly applied across various sectors, from manufacturing and services to information technology.
The rapid development of generative AI models—capable of writing code, drafting text, and processing data—is raising big questions about the future of employment. Chinese companies, especially in the tech sector, are looking to optimize costs and boost efficiency through AI adoption, leading to workforce reductions in certain positions.
In response, many workers are proactively upgrading their skills and learning to use AI as a supporting tool. Others are shifting to emerging fields or seeking opportunities in industries that require creativity and complex thinking that AI cannot fully replace.
Experts believe that AI will not completely eliminate jobs but will transform the nature of many roles. The key is for workers to remain flexible, willing to learn, and able to adapt to the new technological environment to maintain a competitive edge in the labor market.
