Will Generative AI Tools like ChatGPT Exacerbate China’s Job Crisis?

Generative AI technology is causing sweeping disruptions to traditional occupations in China, leading to concerns about the country’s job market. As low birth rates continue and the population ages, a demographic imbalance is emerging in China. Generative AI technology, which can automate up to 300 million full-time jobs, is exacerbating this problem. For instance, a video gaming studio company in Chengdu has replaced its translation contractors with AI chatbot ChatGPT. Similarly, AI technology can replace workers in industries such as sales, accounting, and training. While the government has yet to officially approve domestic ChatGPT-style services, Chinese users have found ways to use the technology. However, generative AI also creates new job opportunities, such as prompt engineers who optimize the interaction with AI. Despite the challenges AI poses to certain industries, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology predicts that AI can create jobs for content creators and analysts, among others.