Learning from China: Business Leaders Vow No AI-Related Job Cuts
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The world is racing to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technology that is transforming the world into an era of automation. In the Middle East and Ukraine conflicts, militaries are already relying heavily on unmanned weapons.
Autonomous taxis (robotaxis) are also rapidly expanding in several countries, particularly the United States and China. AI tools proliferating across various applications have already changed daily human life.
While automated systems can boost efficiency and productivity to drive growth, the consequences for workers are severe. Many jobs are expected to disappear in the future.
Currently, there is a surge in layoffs worldwide. Companies are also becoming cautious in hiring new staff as some roles can now be handled by AI tools.
Commitment from Chinese E-commerce Giant
However, the commitment from Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is commendable. While many US and other companies are laying off staff and blaming AI, JD.com has pledged not to do the same.
According to Economic Times on Friday, 29 May 2026, JD.com founder Liu Qiangdong vowed to prevent mass layoffs due to automation. The company’s 900,000 employees can breathe a sigh of relief.
Liu’s comments came amid growing worker concerns about their future in the age of AI and robotics adoption.
JD.com is one of China’s largest employers. “We pledge to do everything possible to protect the jobs of hundreds of thousands of staff, including blue-collar workers,” Liu said in an internal speech last week, according to a video circulating on social media.
“JD.com will not make any frontline workers redundant due to machine replacement,” he added. JD.com did not respond to an email request for comment.
China’s Dilemma
Chinese companies are racing to implement AI systems as part of the government’s push to dominate this new technology.
However, these directives pose challenges for Communist Party planners aiming to maintain labour market stability amid economic slowdown and high youth unemployment.
JD.com employs staff in various roles, from delivery personnel and shop attendants to AI trainers and robot maintenance technicians. The company is experimenting with several unmanned technologies.
Recent filings show these include unmanned warehouses, drone deliveries, autonomous vehicles, unmanned delivery stations, and convenience stores.
The e-commerce giant has also established over 80 training bases nationwide, which Liu said will retrain workers in skills such as maintaining and servicing automated systems.
Government Intervention
Liu’s comments followed a Chinese court ruling in late April that companies cannot terminate employees or cut salaries solely to replace them with AI systems.
Chinese authorities also ruled last year that companies are legally required to retrain or reassign workers before termination. This is an early safeguard against job displacement by AI, rarely implemented by other countries.