A senior researcher from the Chinese AI firm DeepSeek recently made waves at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen by raising concerns over the future of human employment in a world of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence. Chen Deli emphasized that AI systems could potentially wipe out most human jobs within the next 10 to 20 years, a prediction that has stirred both anxiety and debate among tech leaders and the broader public. Although DeepSeek has been lauded for its innovative, low-cost AI models, Chen’s message contrasted sharply with the usual optimism of Silicon Valley, calling for tech companies to take on the role of guardians to protect society from the disruptive impact of automation.

Chen warned that after a brief early phase where AI boosts productivity and is used as an enhancement tool, its growing capabilities will eventually lead to widespread job losses across a variety of sectors, including customer service, sales administration, IT, design, and copywriting. The resulting shift could create major challenges for societal structures, as large populations face unemployment and workers struggle to keep up with AI-driven changes in the workplace.

The rise of AI brings not only economic disruption but also heightened security and privacy risks. AI tools process huge amounts of sensitive personal data, which presents greater chances of data breaches, unauthorized access, and misuse. Weakly protected models are vulnerable to cyber threats like system manipulation and data leaks. The issue is compounded by the fact that many employees and organizations aren’t prepared for the rapid pace of AI adoption, with surveys indicating a significant knowledge gap and insufficient digital safeguards. Chen called on AI companies to be proactive in addressing these risks, stressing their responsibility not only as innovators but as defenders of human welfare in a transformed labor market.