Workers In China Fear Being Replaced Amid Rising AI Impact On Jobs World

Computer programmer Fei Zhaojun's boss asked him if artificial intelligence could soon replace humans in coding jobs. 

Two weeks later, he was laid off from his job in Beijing, together with about 160 of his colleagues. It's an increasingly common scenario as artificial intelligence, supported by government policies, reshapes China's massive job market. Some economists believe that might eventually undermine the overall strength of the world's second-largest economy.

Rapid adoption of AI in many fields, from computer programming to script writing



and physical tasks, is pushing people out of their jobs or leaving them afraid that it might. 

China is at the vanguard of AI adoption as government policies encourage people and businesses to use AI applications and robotics in all aspects of life, so people like Fei are figuring out how to adapt. 

"There appears to be far less anti-AI sentiment in China (than elsewhere). Most people seem either positive, neutral, or mildly interested in AI," said Shujing He, a Beijing-based senior analyst at advisory and research firm Plenum.