Global Times: Will human labor be replaced as generative AI surges?

BEIJING, March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "Artificial intelligence (AI) writes poetry better than me, paints better than me, can edit videos and create PowerPoint Presentations effortlessly. Recently, AI has become so omnipotent in all respects that I can't help but ask: Will I be replaced by an AI in the future?" This question was posed by a netizen on people.cn, the online platform of People's Daily.

This issue has aroused curiosity and concern shared of many people. During the recently concluded two sessions — the annual meetings of China's National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body — the topic sparked lively discussions among attendees, from the plenary halls to deputies' and committee members' residences.

 ''What is the most frequently asked question about AI?'' the reporter asked DeepSeek. "Will AI replace human jobs?" tops the list.

In fact, this is not a new problem. Humans' curiosity about AI has always been accompanied by equal parts anxiety. Due to the boom of generative AI tools, AI, like water and electricity, has become the infrastructure for smart living, giving this old problem with new sense of urgency.

Just like a mirror, humans' perceptions of AI reflect their understanding of themselves. Much of the anxiety about AI stems from a lack of understanding. To address this, we must first ask: What exactly is AI?

Judging from a technical view, it is more accurate to describe today's AI not as a system that "thinks like a human," but as a "machine that learns."

Since the 1950s, scientists around the world have thought of many ways to try to equip computers with human perceptual and cognitive intelligence, but with little success. In recent years, however, significant breakthroughs have been made in big data-driven deep learning and machine learning, whose underlying logic is based on statistical modelling of data rather than mimicking the operation of the human brain.

Take poetry writing as an example. For humans, spring blossoms, autumn moon, poetic rules and tonal patterns evoke emotions and aesthetics in the human heart. To AI, they are merely "violent calculations," outputting a combination of characters just based on probabilities. In essence, AI functions more like an upgraded "toolbox" or an "extension pack" for personal capabilities. There's no need to anthropomorphize AI — after all, even elementary school students know: "I'm not a learning machine."

After figuring out "what AI is," we can address "what to do" now: Will human labor be replaced by AI?

In some fields, AI is already making strides. AI drivers, AI anchors, AI teaching assistants, and AI doctors are taking on roles once reserved for humans. Advanced reasoning large language models can tackle any question, robotic dogs carry loads with steady strides, and AI-powered inspection robots traverse land and sky, performing tasks tirelessly and flawlessly, often surpassing human limitations.

In other fields, AI is unlikely to take over. It is just a tool, and the unique human perception, judgment and aesthetics are hard to replace. Moreover, the reduction of old jobs has been accompanied by the birth of new businesses and jobs.  Historically, cars replaced horse-drawn carriages, and printing rendered manual copying obsolete. In the short term, some people may lose their jobs, but in the long run, new job opportunities will be created on a scale thousands of times greater than before.

Emerging opportunities

What opportunities will AI bring? This year's Government Work Report provides insights: It calls for advancing the AI Plus initiative by effectively combining digital technologies with China's manufacturing and market strengths. The report emphasizes supporting the extensive application of large-scale AI models and vigorously developing new-generation intelligent terminals and smart manufacturing equipment, including intelligent connected new-energy vehicles, AI-enabled phones and computers, and intelligent robots.

Open-source large language models are captivating enthusiasts. A robot, developed by a Chinese AI start-up flawlessly performs a 720-degree spin kick. Just two months into 2025, we have already seen China's AI innovation creating a buzz. At this year's two sessions, NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members put forward their proposals and motions – strengthen the research and application of intelligent elderly care robots, and incorporate AI into the education system... The AI Plus initiative powers up countless industries — it's off and running, gaining transformative momentum.

Having missed out during the steam and electrical revolutions, China is now looking deep and far ahead. "Artificial intelligence is an important driving force for the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation," states the national leadership. With AI positioned as a strategic industry, China is methodically advancing its development —from future industrial layouts to computing power deployment and real-world applications. At the same time, the country is proactively addressing AI's technological and ethical risks, ensuring its responsible use while preparing for potential challenges.

The essence of technology for good lies in creating more opportunities for all.

In this land that has nurtured a civilization of more than 5,000 years, nearly 250 million users have embraced generative AI, with the core AI industry scale approaching 600 billion yuan ($83 billion). From chips and algorithms to data, platforms, and applications, every link is a track for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Code flashes, like a butterfly flapping its wings, casting beautiful ripples for the new world of human cognition. The future is promising and humans will never be entirely replaced by AI.

The reporter then asked DeepSeek another question: "What makes humans uniquely competitive compared to AI?" Its response is insightful: "While AI extends the boundaries of rationality, humans remain an irreplaceable fusion of emotion and logic. The danger is not that machines think like people, but people work like machines."

So, are you ready to embrace the era of human-AI collaboration?

The article was originally published on the front page of the People's Daily on March 17, 2025.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330275.shtml

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SOURCE Global Times