DeepSeek researcher warns AI could wipe out jobs in 10 years — and tech companies should be 'guardians of humanity'

At a recent panel during the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Chen Deli, a senior researcher from the Chinese AI company DeepSeek, raised alarm bells about the potential risks of artificial intelligence. He cautioned that within the next decade or two, AI could lead to widespread job losses, fundamentally challenging existing societal structures. Chen emphasized the responsibility that tech companies hold as they develop these advanced technologies. He urged them to act as 'guardians of humanity,' prioritizing human safety and aiding in the reformation of societal order as AI capabilities evolve. DeepSeek, which has remained somewhat under the radar since making headlines earlier in the year, is part of a group dubbed China's 'six little dragons' of AI, alongside notable companies like Alibaba Cloud and Unitree. During the panel discussion, Chen described the current phase of AI development as a 'honeymoon phase,' where the technology, still reliant on human input, can enhance productivity but is not yet autonomously task-oriented. Looking ahead, Chen warned that as AI systems advance over the next five to ten years, the potential for job displacement could become significant. He called on tech companies to act as whistleblowers, alerting society to the looming risks associated with this technological evolution. DeepSeek, founded in 2023, has quickly become a symbol of China's rising ambitions in the tech sector. Following the launch of its R1 reasoning model earlier this year, it demonstrated competitive performance against established models like ChatGPT, potentially altering the global AI landscape. As discussions around the US-China AI race intensify, analysts have noted that the success of companies like DeepSeek may be influencing developments in the US, with OpenAI's recent initiatives reflecting the competitive pressure. Experts in the field have suggested that should the US not keep up with advancements in open-source AI, Chinese models like those from DeepSeek could dominate future applications and research, reshaping the global tech environment.