China Plans Employment Measures to Help Workers Adapt to Rapid AI Advances

BEIJING — China plans to introduce new measures to promote employment as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape the labor market, with officials emphasizing skills development, new job creation and support for workers adapting to changing industries.

Li Zhong, vice minister of human resources and social security, announced the initiative at a press conference on October 10, according to China's State Council website, which published a report from Xinhua. The policy approach seeks to encourage technological development while maintaining stable employment and improving job quality.

China created 10.52 million new urban jobs during the first nine months of 2026, reaching 87.7% of its annual employment target, the report said. The average surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.2% during the first eight months of the year.

Officials have increasingly focused on how to respond to changes in the types of skills employers need. AI can automate certain repetitive tasks, assist with data analysis and improve productivity in manufacturing and services. At the same time, adoption can reduce demand for some tasks while creating new roles in software development, system maintenance, industrial automation and AI-related services.

Recruitment data cited in the official report points to a sharp increase in demand for some AI-related positions. The Maimai professional networking platform reported that new AI-related job postings in the new economy rose 789.47% year on year from January to July. Online recruitment platform Zhaopin also reported strong demand for AI engineers, including those working in automotive manufacturing and intelligent driving.

The figures reflect job postings on particular platforms and should not be interpreted as the growth rate for all employment in China's AI sector. They nevertheless illustrate the speed at which employers are seeking specialized technical skills.

China's core AI industry has exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan in scale, with more than 6,200 enterprises operating in the sector, according to the report. AI adoption across key industries has also surpassed 80%, indicating that the technology is being integrated into a growing range of business activities.

The government is seeking to expand employment opportunities not only in AI but also in the digital economy, green and low-carbon industries, modern services and other emerging sectors. During the past five years, China introduced 72 new occupations into its official occupational classification system, including AI trainers and carbon-emissions managers. Authorities have announced another 11 new occupations since the beginning of 2026.

The ministry plans to formulate or revise more than 200 national occupational standards during the 2026-2030 period, the report said. Occupational standards can help define required competencies, support vocational training and make it easier for workers to understand the qualifications needed for emerging roles.

The employment challenge is not limited to creating technical jobs. Workers in traditional industries may need opportunities to retrain, while younger job seekers may require practical experience to enter a labor market increasingly influenced by digital tools. Small and medium-sized businesses may also need support to adopt AI without disrupting essential operations.

For employers, AI can improve efficiency but may require changes to job design, training and workforce planning. For workers, the benefits will depend on whether training opportunities are accessible and whether productivity gains translate into better jobs and wages.

China's planned measures will therefore be judged not only by the number of jobs created but also by the quality and durability of employment. As AI adoption expands, the key policy question is how to ensure that technological progress strengthens productivity without leaving workers unable to adapt.