Will AI cause job losses?

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As tech-companies develop products that boost user experiences, people are seeing innovations that take advantage of human-centered designed. But will artificial intelligence (AI) actually replace the human workforce?

At an exhibition booth of the 2nd World Intellegence Conferece (WIC) in Tianjin, Tang Jinming, an investment promotion manager from City Box, was introducing his company’s vending machine.

The 2nd World Intellegence Conferece. /Xinhua Photo

Tang expects it to cut the need to staff convenient stores.

The machine is able to charge customers automatically through a mobile payment system. All the consumers had to do was to scan a QR code to open the door.

"If you open an off-line store, you need four to five people at a time. But if you use our product, you probably only need one to two people," Tang said.

This new technology has boosted the efficiency of selling products. But without face-to-face interaction between the seller and buyer, how can they ensure a positive customer experience?

E-commerce giant JD.com seemed to have found the answer. Its facial recognition system was able to read complex moods. It would be installed in unmanned shops to determine customer satisfaction with the shopping experience.

The AI robot made by JD at the 2nd World Intelligence Conference. /VCG Photo

"We realized that many off-line purchases have drawbacks. The merchants don't know their customers well, and don't know how to better serve them. That's why we offer this product," said Wang Jingjing, a manager from JD Finance.

JD is automating its logistics system. Its customer service robot successfully did the work of 11,000 humans during last year's shopping festival, Double 11 Day. The company aims to cut its work burden by half with the help of robots.

But won't this cause some people to lose their jobs?

He Xiaodong, JD's deputy managing director, said that from his observation, most Chinese are not worried, instead, they are positive about AI technology.

"People in China are more focused on the benefits and opportunities that AI can bring to the community," he said.

"All the technological improvements and revolutions in the human history have ended up providing more job opportunities. Our life has become better," said Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group.

If we don't have a solution yet, we will find one some day, Ma said at a panal discussion of WIC.

(Top image: VCG Photo)

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