In August 2025, China’s State Council issued “Opinions on Deepening the Implementation of the ‘AI+’ Action Plan,” calling for expanded AI skills training and stronger assessment of employment risks arising from AI applications. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced it will release a dedicated policy document on “Responding to the Impact of AI on Employment” in early 2026, which will include a “job stabilization, expansion, and quality enhancement initiative.” China has added AI-related occupations (such as “AI training specialist”) to the official catalogue of new professions and continues updating occupational classifications. Beijing’s 2025 labor arbitration authority issued guidance clarifying that employer introduction of AI technology does not constitute material grounds for unilateral contract changes, thereby protecting workers’ labour contract rights.
Who it affects: Unemployed or at-risk workers; employers in sectors experiencing AI automation; job training centres and vocational schools; government labour bureaus; workers subject to AI-based management systems.
What is notably missing: China has not implemented a binding requirement for employers to train existing workers in AI competencies before deploying AI in their roles or using AI in management and hiring decisions. The upcoming employment policy is framed around job creation and reskilling rather than mandatory corporate AI literacy training. There is no legal obligation for employers to provide pre-layoff training, no penalty for firms that deploy AI without employee notification, and no minimum standards for what constitutes adequate AI skill assessment for workers.