Translated by Claude, edited by Sinocism.com

[Observing the Protection of Workers' Rights Under the AI Wave, Part 2] "'AI Employees' Are More Useful — Can the Company Fire Me on That Basis?"

原标题：【AI浪潮下的劳动者权益保护观察②】“'AI员工'更好用，公司就能以此解雇我吗？”

Source: Workers' Daily (工人日报)

Editor's note

阅读提示

AI technology has had a certain impact on the job market, with some enterprises unilaterally terminating workers' labor contracts on the grounds of "AI replacing posts." Experts point out that if business adjustments are indeed needed amid the AI wave, enterprises should follow an approach of consultation, reassignment and training, safeguarding workers' employment rights and professional dignity.

当前AI技术对就业市场造成了一定影响，有企业以“AI替岗”为由单方面解除与劳动者的劳动合同。专家指出，若在AI浪潮下确需进行业务调整，企业应遵循协商、调岗、培训的思路，保障劳动者就业权利和职业尊严。

"At an age of 'having elders above and children below,' yet possibly facing unemployment — I really don't know where to turn." Recently, 32-year-old Mr. Jiang has felt both resigned and helpless. Mr. Jiang does data-development work in the finance industry, and according to him, the company announced a layoff plan not long ago: because AI has basically mastered the business skills, his department will dismiss 50% of its staff in the second half of this year.

“'上有老下有小'的年纪，却可能面临失业，真不知该何去何从。”最近，32岁的蒋先生既无奈又无助。蒋先生在金融行业从事数据开发工作，据他介绍，公司前不久公布了裁员计划，由于AI已经基本掌握业务技能，他所在的部门将于今年下半年辞退５０％的员工。

In recent years, while AI technology has empowered every trade and industry, it has also had a certain impact on the job market. The reporter found in interviews that in the eyes of many employers, "AI employees" are lower-cost, easier to manage, tireless, and even perform better. On balance, some enterprises are choosing to replace human employees with AI, and labor disputes have followed.

近年来，AI技术赋能千行百业的同时，也对就业市场造成了一定影响。记者采访发现，在不少用人单位看来，“AI员工”成本更低、便于管理、不知疲倪，甚至工作表现也更胜一筹。权衡之下，一些企业选择用AI代替人类员工，劳动纠纷也随之而来。

Is "AI replacing posts" a lawful reason to dismiss employees? After embracing AI, how should enterprises place the workers whose posts are affected? How can an employment-friendly environment be ensured while encouraging technological innovation? Workers' Daily reporters conducted interviews around these questions.

“AI替岗”是解雇员工的合法理由吗？拥抱AI之后，企业该怎么安置岗位受影响的劳动者？如何在鼓励技术创新的同时保障就业友好环境？《工人日报》记者围绕这些问题展开了采访。

"Being Replaced" Leaves Workers Confused

“被替代”让劳动者感到困惑

Mr. Jiang had long sensed the impact AI technology would have on jobs. He told the reporter that previously AI had played only an auxiliary role in his work, but early last year the company drew personnel from each department to fully deploy a localized AI tool, in order to maximize the intelligentization and de-staffing of every post. "For a while, the company was full of anxiety, and colleagues were all talking about it."

对于AI技术对岗位带来的冲击，蒋先生早有感受。他告诉记者，此前，AI在工作中只起到辅助作用，但去年年初，公司从各部门抽调人员全力部署本地化的AI工具，以最大限度实现各个岗位的智能化、无人化。“一时间，公司里人心悶悶，同事们都在议论。”

Mr. Jiang has been in the industry for many years and has worked at his current company for nearly four years; that his once "surging ahead" career might suddenly stall is something he finds hard to accept. "I'm learning AI skills, trying to shift from traditional programming to an AI-development post — if you can't beat them, you have to join them." Mr. Jiang also mentioned that some colleagues want to switch tracks entirely and enter industries less affected by AI.