Workers at Chinese tech companies are increasingly anxious about the prospect of layoffs as their employers adapt to the rise of artificial intelligence. A recent check-in with a Meituan employee revealed a grim mood, with the worker uncertain if he would be next to lose his job, according to the South China Morning Post.
The unease spiked after unverified screenshots circulated on Chinese social media claiming Meituan planned to cut up to half of its product roles by the end of June, along with deep reductions in other departments. The food delivery giant quickly denied the rumors, but the incident underscored a broader sentiment of insecurity across the industry.
The anxiety reflects a wider trend as China's tech giants, from e-commerce platforms to AI startups, restructure to streamline operations and integrate automation. Workers fear being 'optimised' out of their positions, a term that has become synonymous with corporate efficiency drives that prioritize AI over human labor.
The implications extend beyond job security, potentially reshaping the social contract between China's workforce and the tech sector that once promised stable employment. As AI adoption accelerates, the demand for upskilling and reskilling grows, yet the timeline for such adaptation may not match the pace of corporate cost-cutting.
Some analysts argue that such fears may be overblown, noting that AI will also create new roles. However, the transition period could see significant displacement, leaving workers in a precarious state as companies race to optimize.