---
title: "China's 18-Point AI Jobs Plan Urges Buffer Periods"
canonical: "https://www.metaintro.com/blog/china-ai-job-displacement-guidelines-2026"
language: "en"
author: "drashtigarach"
published: "2026-10-26T11:30:07.000Z"
modified: "2026-10-26T11:30:07.000Z"
---

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# China's 18-Point AI Jobs Plan Urges Buffer Periods, Risk Checks and Retraining for Workers

China set 18 tasks to grow AI jobs and cushion AI job losses, from unemployment buffer periods to retraining for graduates. See what changes for workers.

[![Drashti Garach](https://cdn.metaintro.com/rs:fill:40:40/q:72/plain/images/5719d740-e510-42bc-8017-e040d145f35f_1766029465094.png)Drashti Garach @DrashtiGarach](/blog/author/drashtigarach)

[October 26, 2026](/blog/archive/2026/10)13 min read

![Two job seekers using self-service job-matching kiosks in a bright, modern job centre](https://cdn.metaintro.com/rs:fill:1200:675/q:78/plain/images/china-ai-job-displacement-guidelines-2026-hero.jpg)

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China is [urging government agencies to effectively mitigate job displacement caused by AI applications](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/china-calls-for-mitigating-ais-impact-on-job-displacement/articleshow/135141917.cms), under guidelines from the General Office of the State Council that set out [18 tasks in six areas](https://ippmedia.co.tz/the-guardian/news/world/read/china-issues-guidelines-to-promote-employment-amid-ai-advances-2026-10-23-155646). The same document also tells officials to grow AI jobs through [expanding employment opportunities in emerging sectors, helping micro, small and medium-sized enterprises retain and expand their workforce](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372863.shtml) and building new AI occupations. It also encourages companies to explore an [unemployment buffer period and to tell affected workers in advance when AI is rolled out at scale](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated from Chinese). For [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com) readers, this guide walks through what the full text asks of agencies and employers, which workers it names, and where retraining and job help are meant to come from.

## What Did China's State Council Actually Issue?

The document is titled [Opinions on Adapting to the Development of AI Technology to Help Build an Employment-Friendly Development Model](https://www.news.cn/politics/20261023/f21a5777774749daa0eed451c81f4002/c.html) (translated), and it was issued by the General Office of the State Council and [made public on Friday](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372863.shtml). The full text carries the reference number [Guobanfa 2026 number 29, dated October 16, 2026](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated), and is addressed to the people's governments of every province, autonomous region and municipality, and to the ministries and agencies under the State Council.

The guideline is organised into [six areas covering AI-driven job creation, employment-friendly AI adoption, workforce training, employment services, labor rights and social security protections, and employment risk monitoring and response](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372863.shtml).

The aim has two halves. The text sets out to [strengthen AI's positive role in creating job opportunities, enhancing traditional jobs through AI, improving employment quality and stimulating entrepreneurship, while mitigating the impact of AI-related job displacement](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372863.shtml).

[Human resources and social security departments and development and reform departments at all levels](https://www.news.cn/politics/20261023/f21a5777774749daa0eed451c81f4002/c.html) are to coordinate and get the measures working, and [local governments and relevant departments are to implement the measures in accordance with local conditions](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372863.shtml).

## How Does the Guideline Plan to Create AI Jobs?

The first task area is job creation, and it is specific about geography. Eastern regions are encouraged to host core AI industries, while central and western regions are guided to take on, where suited to local conditions, upstream and downstream work such as [data labeling and smart device manufacturing](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

Money is part of the plan. The guideline backs faster growth of AI-native companies and specialised "little giant" firms, and qualifying firms are to be brought, in line with rules, into [special loans that support companies to stabilise and expand jobs](https://www.jiemian.com/article/15231874.html) (translated). The text also calls on government funds such as the [National Venture Capital Guidance Fund and the National AI Industry Investment Fund](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated) to back AI companies on market terms.

Smaller employers get their own track. The guideline launches an [AI startup support plan for small and medium-sized enterprises](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated) and asks for cheap, lightweight digital tools so that micro, small and medium firms can adopt AI and absorb more jobs. Small firms and sole traders are also to be guaranteed [equal, lawful use of data, algorithms and other smart production inputs](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated). It also backs [high-level AI open-source communities and startup projects built around AI application scenarios and the commercialisation of research](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated). Four startup models are named, pairing entrepreneurship with [research results, industry development, vocational skills and everyday public needs](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

Traditional sectors are covered too. Officials should [tap AI's job-creation potential in traditional sectors](https://ippmedia.co.tz/the-guardian/news/world/read/china-issues-guidelines-to-promote-employment-amid-ai-advances-2026-10-23-155646), promote human and machine collaboration in industry and agriculture, and use AI-driven services to [expand the capacity of the service sector to absorb jobs](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

## Which New AI Occupations Does the Guideline Name?

Three job titles are named outright. The guideline calls for faster development of new occupations and standards and for growing demand for [digital management specialists, AI engineering technicians and AI trainers](https://www.jiemian.com/article/15231874.html) (translated).

The text also covers recognition. Local governments are encouraged to add AI specialities to professional title reviews and to [carry out AI-related vocational skill level certification in a timely way](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

> The guidelines urge efforts to tap AI's job-creation potential in traditional sectors, mitigate job displacement caused by AI applications, and establish a mechanism to assess employment risks associated with AI adoption, according to [the Xinhua English report](https://ippmedia.co.tz/the-guardian/news/world/read/china-issues-guidelines-to-promote-employment-amid-ai-advances-2026-10-23-155646).

## How Is China Trying to Cushion AI Job Losses?

The guideline sets an order of use, with AI rolled out first in jobs facing [labor shortages and high-risk working environments](https://www.jiemian.com/article/15231874.html) (translated), where it can improve working conditions, safety and efficiency.

AI use in labor-intensive industries is to be [prudently managed in scope, intensity and pace, minimising the impact on workers as far as possible](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated), with no quota or timetable.

The guideline also floats a buffer period for workers. Companies are encouraged to [explore an unemployment buffer period system](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated), and, when rolling out AI on a large scale, to notify affected workers in advance and offer transition support.

Assembly line workers in manufacturing, clerical assistants and junior accountants are among the roles [feeling a relatively large impact as AI's substitution effect begins to show in some areas](https://www.jiemian.com/article/15231874.html) (translated), in Jiemian's reporting.

## What Is the Employment Risk Assessment Mechanism?

For AI application projects in market-access areas that [may cause a large employment shock, an employment risk assessment is to be carried out at the same time as the project review](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated). Departments involved must arrange job transition support, and projects in other areas get an assessment where local conditions call for one.

Officials are also to [steer innovation resources toward uses with strong job creation potential](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

Monitoring backs it up. The final task area calls for [strengthening employment risk monitoring and early-warning systems related to AI applications](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372863.shtml), plus [cross-department sharing of AI industry and jobs data, and regional and industry monitoring models](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

Research leans on existing institutions. The text calls for a [special survey on how AI affects employment](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated), tracking AI adoption, job creation and replacement, and changing skill needs, plus AI employment research centers at universities and research bodies, and [National Social Science Fund projects](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated) on how AI affects jobs and income distribution.

AI employment risk is to be folded into China's [mechanism for preventing and defusing large-scale unemployment risk](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated), with contingency plans drawn up in advance and joint handling of AI-related labor relations risks.

## Who Gets Retraining, and Through Which Programmes?

Three groups are named. Local training projects should encourage [college graduates and other young people, migrant workers and unemployed people](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated) to join AI employment and entrepreneurship training, alongside the Skills Light Up the Future training campaign.

Training is meant to follow demand. When local governments run project-based or order-based digital skills training, they must [closely match market demand in the AI field](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated). Local governments are also encouraged to use [public, company and high-skill training bases for AI skills training](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

Public courses are part of it. As part of AI general education for all of society, the guideline calls for more public-interest courses through the [National Smart Education Public Service Platform](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated), an online learning platform for industrial and IT skills, and continuing education platforms, alongside AI contests within existing skills competitions.

Schools change too. Universities and vocational schools, including technical schools, are encouraged to [add more AI micro-majors and run compound talent programmes](https://www.jiemian.com/article/15231874.html) (translated), while [company engineers are to teach on campus and students are to train inside companies](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated). The guideline supports leading technology companies taking part in [course development, teacher training and upgrades to teaching facilities](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

## What Help Is Promised to Workers Who Lose Jobs to AI?

In line with regulations, eligible workers affected by AI displacement are to receive [targeted career guidance, skills training, job recommendations and startup support](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated), and relevant insured unemployed workers are to get unemployment insurance benefits paid in full and on time.

By the end of September, [unemployment insurance covered 251 million people](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/world/2026-10-10-china-adds-1052-million-urban-jobs-in-january-to-september-to-roll-out-services-jobs-policy/), and basic pension insurance covered [1.079 billion people](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/world/2026-10-10-china-adds-1052-million-urban-jobs-in-january-to-september-to-roll-out-services-jobs-policy/).

Job search itself is meant to get smarter. The guideline calls for upgrades to the national employment information database, the [National University Student Employment Service Platform and the China Employment public service platform](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated). Agencies are to explore [smart upgrades to grassroots public employment service networks that draw on existing resources](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated). It also encourages [job-matching large models, intelligent interviews and virtual reality training from businesses, and wider use of AI in labor dispute mediation and arbitration](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

Policy is meant to find people, not the other way round. Agencies are to explore [a smart identification system that pushes employment policies to the people they fit](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated). AI is also to be used in [employment policy assessment, fund management, publicity and consultation](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

> Measures include improving labor rights protections to accommodate human-AI collaboration, improving social security arrangements for flexible workers and those in new forms of employment, and refining income distribution mechanisms to adapt to AI development, according to [the Global Times report](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372863.shtml).

## What Changes for Gig Workers and Labor Rights?

Algorithms used on staff are in scope. AI use in human resources management is to be regulated, and the text targets [employment discrimination, fake recruitment and violations of privacy and rest rights caused by algorithm abuse](https://www.jiemian.com/article/15231874.html) (translated). Authorities are to [urge companies to protect workers' pay, rest and leave, and workplace safety under the law](https://www.jiemian.com/article/15231874.html) (translated). In April a Hangzhou court ruled that a company [cannot fire a worker simply to replace them with AI](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/china-ai-layoffs-labor-law-2026).

Gig and platform workers get a social security push. Flexible workers and people in new forms of employment are encouraged to [join urban employee basic pension insurance, and the occupational injury protection pilot for new-form workers is to expand](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated). Delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers and livestream hosts are among the [new forms of employment that have emerged](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-10-10/China-adds-10-52-million-urban-jobs-in-first-nine-months-of-2026-1R7IeTdb3pe/p.html) as the service sector expanded.

Pay is addressed as well. Employers are guided to set pay systems that fit AI workers, and the [classified minimum wage reference guidance for skilled talent is to be implemented](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated). The guideline also backs new work forms such as [intelligent agents](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated), and encourages companies to invest more in public-interest AI technology, services and open-source communities.

## How Does This Fit With China's Wider Jobs Picture?

The guideline is in line with a [five-year plan for implementing the employment-first strategy released by the State Council in June](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372863.shtml), which called for advancing the AI Plus initiative and exploring new forms of human and AI collaboration. Chinese authorities were already [bracing for an AI jobs shock](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/china-bracing-ai-jobs-shock-2026) in June.

At a press conference earlier this month, the [labour ministry said](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/world/2026-10-10-china-adds-1052-million-urban-jobs-in-january-to-september-to-roll-out-services-jobs-policy/) employment remained "generally stable". China added [10.52 million new urban jobs in the first nine months of 2026](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-10-10/China-adds-10-52-million-urban-jobs-in-first-nine-months-of-2026-1R7IeTdb3pe/p.html), and the surveyed urban unemployment rate [averaged 5.2% from January to August](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/world/2026-10-10-china-adds-1052-million-urban-jobs-in-january-to-september-to-roll-out-services-jobs-policy/).

At the same briefing, Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Li Zhong listed [employment promotion efforts tailored to the development of artificial intelligence](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-10-10/China-adds-10-52-million-urban-jobs-in-first-nine-months-of-2026-1R7IeTdb3pe/p.html) among coming initiatives, and said Beijing will also work to [keep employment steady in labour-intensive industries](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/world/2026-10-10-china-adds-1052-million-urban-jobs-in-january-to-september-to-roll-out-services-jobs-policy/).

## What This Means for Workers and Job Seekers, and What Should You Do Next?

The guideline asks agencies to [effectively mitigate job displacement caused by AI applications](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/china-calls-for-mitigating-ais-impact-on-job-displacement/articleshow/135141917.cms), but it does not stop AI from replacing jobs in China, and its measures carry different weight. The buffer period and advance notice are encouraged, not required, while the risk assessment is not optional. For market-access projects that may cause a large employment shock, it runs [at the same time as the project review](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated), and relevant departments must arrange job transition support.

- **Get certified in a named AI occupation.** If your work overlaps with one of the three named roles, look for [AI skill level certification](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated) where you live.
- **Use the public courses.** Check the [national smart education platform](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated) for public AI courses before paying for private ones.
- **Know what help eligible workers can get.** In line with regulations, eligible workers displaced by AI are to get [career guidance, skills training, job recommendations and startup support](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).
- **Look beyond the eastern hubs.** The guideline steers central and western regions, where suited to local conditions, toward [AI supply chain work](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).
- **Expect local differences.** Local governments are to [implement the measures in accordance with local conditions](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372863.shtml).

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## People Also Asked

### Q: What did China's new AI employment guideline say?

A: The General Office of the State Council set out [18 tasks in six areas](https://ippmedia.co.tz/the-guardian/news/world/read/china-issues-guidelines-to-promote-employment-amid-ai-advances-2026-10-23-155646) to create jobs through AI, retrain workers, protect labor rights and monitor AI job risks, while mitigating job displacement caused by AI applications.

### Q: Does China's guideline ban companies from replacing workers with AI?

A: No. It asks for caution on the [scope, intensity and pace of AI use in labor-intensive industries](https://www.jiemian.com/article/15231874.html) (translated) and encourages companies to [explore an unemployment buffer period, with advance notice to affected workers during large-scale AI rollout](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated).

### Q: Who can get AI training under China's plan?

A: Local training projects are to encourage [college graduates and other young people, migrant workers and unemployed people](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated) to join AI training. The guideline also calls for more [public AI courses on national learning platforms](https://www.stdaily.com/web/2026-10/23/content_601752.html) (translated) as general AI education for all of society.

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