Asia
As China’s firms rush to adopt DeepSeek’s AI services, workers worry over impact on jobs

The Rise of AI in the Workplace: A Growing Concern for Job Security
In recent weeks, a trending hashtag on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo, “ask DeepSeek whether my job will be taken,” has sparked widespread concern and debate about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on job security. As of Thursday, February 20, the hashtag had garnered close to 7.2 million views, reflecting the growing anxiety among workers about the potential threat of AI to their livelihoods. The conversation has been fueled by the introduction of a digital AI civil servant in Futian District, which has raised questions about whether any job is truly safe in the age of AI.
Public Reaction: Fear and Resignation in the Face of AI Advancement
The debate on Weibo reveals a mix of fear, resignation, and cautious optimism among users. One user wrote, “I thought in the age of AI, an ‘iron rice bowl’ would remain an ‘iron rice bowl’. But I didn’t realise the launch of an AI civil servant would thoroughly change my views, and it looks like now no job is safe.” This sentiment encapsulates the shock and disbelief many feel as they witness AI encroaching on roles traditionally held by humans. Another user struck a more pragmatic tone, saying, “Since we can’t stop the AI wave, guess we’ll have to embrace it. I think everyone should really try out jobs related to AI, after all it’s not going away anytime soon.” This reflects a growing resignation to the inevitability of AI and the need to adapt to its presence in the workforce.
Government Clarification: AI as an Assistant, Not a Replacement
Amid the swirling debate, officials from Futian District have sought to clarify the role of AI in governance. In a Tuesday article by Futian’s publicity department, Gao Zeng, deputy director of the Futian District Government Service Data Administration Bureau, emphasized that the digital employees are “assistants” rather than “AI civil servants.” Gao explained that these AI models are incapable of making independent decisions and are always paired with a designated human “guardian” to ensure accountability and oversight. This clarification aims to temper fears that AI is being used to replace human workers outright.
The Role of AI in Public Management: Improving Efficiency and Reducing Burden
Gao Zeng further elaborated on the capabilities of the AI assistants, stating that they are designed to “assist in public management,” improve work efficiency, and reduce the burden on grassroots employees. By automating routine and repetitive tasks, these digital employees free up human staff to focus on more complex and decision-heavy responsibilities. This vision of AI as a tool to augment human capabilities rather than replace them is central to the government’s strategy for integrating AI into public services.
Expert Insights: The Cost-Effectiveness and Potential of AI in Governance
Experts weighing in on the issue have highlighted the cost-effectiveness and suitability of AI for government applications. Meng Qingguo from Tsinghua University noted that DeepSeek, the AI platform used in Futian, offers good performance at an affordable price, making it an attractive option for government use. Additionally, as a homegrown technology, DeepSeek excels in Chinese language processing, further enhancing its utility for local governance. These factors make it an ideal candidate for adoption in various government departments and institutions.
The Future of Work: Balancing AI Integration with Job Creation
Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, offered a balanced perspective on the role of AI in the workforce. While acknowledging that traditional jobs may be impacted by the introduction of AI, Wang emphasized that new employment opportunities are likely to emerge as a result of this technological shift. He dismissed fears of AI entirely replacing human workers as unfounded, at least in the near future. Instead, Wang painted a picture of a workforce where AI and humans collaborate to enhance efficiency and service quality. The move by Futian District to adopt AI is seen as a forward-thinking step toward creating a more intelligent and capable government, one that leverages the strengths of both human and artificial intelligence. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the integration of AI into the workforce is an unstoppable force, and the key to navigating this change lies in embracing it with caution and foresight.
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