Key facts
- A record 12.7 million graduates are entering China's workforce this year.
- Artificial intelligence is impacting white-collar jobs in China.
- Job listings for traditional roles are dwindling.
- Some graduates have applied for hundreds of jobs without success.
China's job market is facing significant challenges as a record 12.7 million graduates prepare to enter the workforce. This surge in job seekers coincides with the increasing integration of artificial intelligence, which is beginning to disrupt various sectors, including white-collar professions. The New York Times reported that the supply of graduate jobs has not kept pace with the rising number of college attendees. Consequently, listings for traditional roles are diminishing, and many graduates are struggling to secure employment, with some applying for hundreds of positions without success. The impact of AI is also being felt in other industries, such as manufacturing and food delivery, and has even affected sectors like Kenya's essay-writing industry, where AI can now perform tasks previously done by human freelancers.