Workplace AI in China

Artificial intelligence (AI) integration in China’s workplaces is largely driven by market forces and competition, favouring business interests over those of workers. As a result, the balance of power in workplaces is shifting further towards employers who control data and algorithms, which leaves workers with reduced bargaining power and increased vulnerability to exploitation. Despite AI’s role in enhancing efficiency in the workplace, it has not led to improved job quality for Chinese workers. AI solutions tend to be designed for maximizing labour extraction, both paid and unpaid, often leading to worse working conditions and job insecurity. Chinese workers report higher workloads and stress due to AI tools. The pressure to meet both human supervisors’ expectations and algorithmic metrics often translates into extended hours and more intense work to secure high performance ratings that can impact the long-term prospects of employees. The rapid introduction of AI in Chinese workplaces has outpaced the ability of workers to adapt, pressuring them to quickly learn new skills and putting those unable to keep up at risk of losing their jobs. Smaller and less competitive Chinese firms in lower value-added sectors, such as those in component manufacturing or raw materials processing, often use AI solutions more aggressively in workforce management due to narrower profit margins, which disproportionately affects low-skilled jobs. The varying AI capacities of firms is polarizing labour practices in global value chains. With the introduction of AI, workers in the Global South face higher risks of exploitation because firms with resource constraints and competition pressure are less incentivized and lack the capacity to use AI effectively and ethically.