China to track AI's impact on jobs over next five years

China announced it will closely monitor the effects of artificial intelligence on its job market for the next five years. This move responds to widespread concerns about potential job losses stemming from the rapid advancement of AI technology nationwide.

The State Council, China's executive body, outlined this in new guidelines for national employment policy during the 2026-2030 five-year plan. The document calls for "in-depth research to proactively address the impact on employment" from AI, as well as other factors like an aging population and geopolitical tensions.

Authorities aim to "improve capabilities for tracking and warning about employment-related risks." They plan to establish an early warning system to identify regions, industries, companies, population groups, or periods deemed "key" for potential employment instability. This includes a specific "monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the impact of AI on employment" that will develop survey systems to analyze the technology's influence.

Beijing's objective extends beyond just assessing potential job losses. It also seeks to understand new job creation driven by AI, changes in demanded worker profiles, and the integration of AI applications into the workplace. The official urban unemployment rate was 5.1% in May, within the year's target of 5.5%. For Chinese authorities, maintaining low unemployment is crucial for social stability and support for the Communist Party, largely built on decades of economic success. While official statistics have faced scrutiny, the government will use alternative metrics like mobile payments and electricity consumption for labor market analysis via big data.