JD.com Founder Predicts Robots Will Replace 700,000 Couriers, Company Plans Retraining

Richard Liu, the founder of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, has stated that the company's approximately 700,000 delivery couriers will inevitably be replaced by robots. Liu made these remarks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Shenzhen, a major Chinese tech hub.

"In the future, when robots deliver packages, sooner or later there will come a day when couriers are practically no longer needed," Liu predicted. He added, "Certainly, robots will deliver packages. But I really don't want our 700,000 brothers to be left without food and jobs." This statement highlights growing concerns about the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on China's labor market, particularly amid high youth unemployment.

Recognizing the potential disruption, JD.com is proactively preparing its workforce for the transition. The company has established partnerships with around 120 schools and educational institutions to offer retraining programs. These programs aim to equip couriers with the skills needed for new positions within an automated economy, including roles in the repair, maintenance, and management of robotic systems. Liu believes these jobs will become increasingly common as robots require regular technical servicing.

Liu stressed that technological development should serve to enhance the quality of life and transform work into a more engaging and less repetitive activity. "Technology must make people's lives better and work more interesting, not take away people's right to work," he asserted. While no specific timeline was given for the full replacement of human couriers, pilot projects in China already demonstrate significant investment in autonomous delivery solutions, with robots being tested in various scenarios, including airports and logistics centers.

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Tehnologia trebuie să facă viața oamenilor mai bună și munca mai interesantă, nu să le ia oamenilor dreptul la muncă.