DeepSeek researcher says AI will take over human jobs in a decade

At a recent conference organized by the Chinese government, DeepSeek made headlines as senior researcher Chen Deli shared his concerning views on the future of employment in the age of artificial intelligence. Speaking at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Deli expressed a grim forecast, suggesting that AI technology could potentially eliminate all human jobs within the next ten years. Deli, who was joined by executives from prominent Chinese AI firms like Unitree and BrainCo, acknowledged that while AI might offer short-term benefits, it poses significant long-term risks to the workforce. He stated, "In the next 10–20 years, AI could take over the rest of the work humans perform, creating a massive challenge for society. Therefore, tech companies must assume the role of 'defender.'" Expressing his dual perspective, Deli conveyed a mix of optimism for AI technology and concern for its societal implications. He urged tech firms to act as proactive guardians, warning the public about the potential dangers of advanced AI systems. "Tech companies should at least protect human safety and help reshape societal order," he emphasized. The discussion about AI's impact on employment is not new. Earlier this year, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicted that AI could replace half of entry-level white-collar jobs, leading to increased unemployment rates. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the threat AI poses to human jobs but remained cautiously optimistic about the technology's potential. While some leaders, like Google DeepMind's CEO Demis Hassabis, recognize the risk of job displacement, they also believe that AI could lead to the creation of new and more valuable job opportunities. In contrast, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang challenged the more extreme predictions, asserting that job loss will not be due to AI itself but rather to individuals who leverage AI effectively in their work. "You're not going to lose your job to an AI, but you're going to lose your job to someone who uses AI," Huang stated earlier this year.