Could AI take your job? Some workers in China already know the answer
Summary
In Wuhan, China, driverless taxis powered by artificial intelligence (AI) have caused problems on the roads and displaced many traditional taxi drivers. This has raised concerns about the impact of AI on workers’ jobs as China rapidly expands the use of AI despite a fragile job market and growing gig economy.Key Facts
- Driverless taxis named Apollo Go caused street disruptions in Wuhan in March due to system malfunctions.
- The rise of AI-powered robotaxis led to a 40% drop in earnings for some taxi drivers like Yao Xinnong.
- China’s government supports large-scale AI deployment, aiming for shared prosperity but facing labor market challenges.
- China’s gig economy has grown, with about 44% of workers in flexible, informal jobs by 2024.
- Some taxi drivers protested the use of robotaxis in Wuhan in 2024, but protests were quickly censored.
- A Wuhan taxi company publicly criticized government policies enabling AI automation, which is rare in China.
- A state-run newspaper warned that AI presents new challenges to job rights and traditional employment rules.
- China’s leader Xi Jinping stated in July that AI should promote shared prosperity and security.
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