China has seen incredible economic and social changes over the past few decades. But could the impact of artificial intelligence take the country by surprise?
I recently spent a few weeks in the country, talking to researchers and entrepreneurs developing cutting-edge AI technologies and products.
What stuck with me—beyond the growing ambition of China’s researchers and the overall vibrancy of its tech scene—is how much people are starting to talk about the potential for AI to eliminate jobs across the country. Just a few years ago this seemed like much less of a concern. Now the issue of jobs comes up regularly during Q&A sessions and panel discussions at industry conferences.
This is perhaps partly a reflection of the country’s economic slowdown after years of spectacular rise. But I think it also reflects a growing realization among some of the world’s smartest entrepreneurs and innovators that the economic and social impact of AI is likely to be profound.
The sentiment can certainly be detected among some of China’s most prominent and influential technologists.
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