DeepSeek returns after year-long silence, researcher warns of AI’s threat to human jobs

DeepSeek, a prominent player in China’s artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, has made a rare public appearance after nearly a year of silence. At the World Internet Conference held in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, senior researcher Chen Deli expressed both optimism and concern regarding AI's impact on the workforce. While he acknowledges the potential benefits of AI in the near term, he warns of significant employment challenges looming within the next decade. Chen shared the stage with leaders from five other notable Chinese AI firms, collectively known as the 'six little dragons' of AI. These companies are recognized as key contributors to China’s rapidly evolving AI sector. In his remarks, Chen highlighted the dual nature of AI technology. "AI could be a great aid to humans as it improves over the short term, but it could threaten job losses in 5–10 years as it becomes good enough to take over some of the work humans perform," he stated. Looking further ahead, Chen cautioned that within the next 10 to 20 years, AI could assume even more responsibilities currently held by humans, leading to significant societal challenges. He emphasized the need for tech companies to adopt a protective role during this transition. DeepSeek first captured global attention in January 2025 with a groundbreaking low-cost AI model that surpassed top U.S. competitors. This success positioned DeepSeek as a symbol of China’s technological advancements, especially amidst escalating U.S.-China tensions regarding technological supremacy. Despite its achievements, the company has maintained a low profile, avoiding major tech conferences and public engagements since its founder, Liang Wenfeng, last appeared with President Xi Jinping in February. In September, DeepSeek announced an upgrade to its V3 model, branding it as an “experimental version” designed for more efficient training and enhanced processing of long texts. The company has also aligned closely with national initiatives to bolster domestic chip production, ensuring compatibility with Chinese-manufactured hardware from companies like Huawei and Cambricon. In August, DeepSeek introduced an AI model tailored for Chinese chip technology, which resulted in a surge in domestic semiconductor stocks, reflecting investor confidence in China's efforts to reduce dependence on foreign technology. Although DeepSeek has not unveiled a major new model since its initial breakthrough, its strategic decisions continue to influence China’s AI aspirations and the ongoing discourse surrounding open-source technology and the ethical implications of AI.