China’s State Council has urged government agencies to mitigate job displacement caused by artificial intelligence, according to guidelines issued on October 23. The policy calls for monitoring employment risks, supporting job transitions and regulating AI use in human-resources management.
State Council sets 18 tasks
The guidelines from the General Office of the State Council set out 18 tasks in six areas. They call for more AI-related jobs, stronger digital skills, better employment services, labor protections and closer monitoring of job risks. The official government summary says the policy aims to improve job quality while limiting displacement.
To support that goal, the plan encourages new occupations and entrepreneurship in AI. It also calls for support to help micro, small and medium-sized businesses stabilize and expand employment as they adopt the technology.
AI projects face job-risk checks
The employment focus also applies to AI projects that could disrupt existing jobs. According to Reuters reporting, authorities are being told to improve systems that track employment risks and prepare responses when projects could cause major disruption. The guidelines call for support with job transitions, retraining and re-employment for workers affected by automation.
They also address AI use in human-resources management. The policy calls for action against discrimination, fraudulent recruitment and privacy violations caused by misuse of algorithms.
China balances growth and protection
Taken together, the guidelines support new AI industries while adding oversight of how the technology changes existing jobs. They also call for stronger protections for people in flexible and newly created forms of employment.
The policy therefore links AI expansion with employment measures. It asks officials to create new work through AI while monitoring job losses and helping affected workers move into other roles.
References
Xinhua. (2026, October 23). China issues guidelines to promote employment amid AI advances. The State Council of the People’s Republic of China. https://english.www.gov.cn/policies/latestreleases/202610/23/content_WS6adb4e53c6d00ca5f9a0deb7.html
Zhang, Y., Chen, X., & Silver, A. (2026, October 23). China urges government agencies to mitigate AI job displacement. MarketScreener. https://www.marketscreener.com/news/china-urges-government-agencies-to-mitigate-ai-job-displacement-ce785cdfd98ef224