Is AI scary? China’s workers share their hopes and fears
Chinese workers in sectors like law, tourism, and media are rapidly adopting AI tools like DeepSeek and Doubao despite concerns over inaccuracies, valuing efficiency gains even as they fear job displacement. The Chinese government, through its 2025 AI+ plan, is aggressively integrating AI into industries while balancing job protection to avoid social unrest, with Doubao reaching 345 million monthly users and autonomous ride services surging 175% in 2025.
China’s workforce is embracing AI tools despite reservations, with workers across industries like law, tourism, and media adopting solutions like DeepSeek and Doubao for productivity gains. Shanghai lawyer Xie Jingyi, 36, uses AI to quickly search legal precedents, saving hours of manual work, though she remains wary of AI-generated inaccuracies. While acknowledging AI could replace some tasks, she believes lawyers can shift focus to strategy and client service, reflecting a broader trend among Chinese professionals. The Chinese government has prioritized AI integration through its 2025 AI+ plan, aiming to embed AI across all economic sectors. Doubao, China’s leading general-purpose AI chatbot, had 345 million monthly active users domestically by March, while autonomous ride services like Baidu’s Apollo Go provided 11 million fully driverless rides in 2025—a 175% increase from the prior year. Stanford University’s 2026 AI Index report noted China installed more industrial robots than the rest of the world combined in 2025. Interviews with over 30 workers in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen revealed mixed reactions: optimism about technological progress alongside resignation that adaptation is unavoidable. Many are upskilling in areas like interpersonal skills and leadership to complement AI tools. The government’s stance balances AI adoption with job protection, rooted in socialist traditions and concerns over social unrest. While China is a global AI leader alongside the U.S., workers show little resistance to AI integration, unlike in Western nations. The push for AI-driven efficiency contrasts with efforts to safeguard employment, creating a delicate equilibrium in China’s economic transformation.
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