Saad Ullah
A senior researcher from Chinese AI developer DeepSeek has issued a stark warning about AI's economic risks. Speaking at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, DeepSeek researcher Chen Deli argued that while the company stays optimistic about AI's potential, the speed of progress could make large chunks of human labor obsolete much sooner than governments are ready for.
5 to 20 Years Until Mass Job Displacement
According to Wall St Engine trader reports, Chen spoke alongside executives from several rising Chinese AI companies at the conference.
But unlike typical tech-conference optimism, he delivered a sobering take on how quickly the labor market could shift. He warned that as AI models improve, they could replace a big portion of human work "in 5 to 20 years"—a far more aggressive timeline than what most policymakers are planning for.
DeepSeek Sends Warning From China's AI Race
His comments reflect growing global concern about highly capable AI systems. DeepSeek, whose recent models have challenged Western competitors, sits at the center of China's AI race. The company used this rare public moment to send a clear message: the world needs to prepare for unprecedented labor disruption.
Industries Face Structural Challenges
Chen stressed that the challenge isn't just technological—it's structural. If automation overtakes human labor at scale, industries relying heavily on routine tasks could see serious displacement first. Economists warn that without strong policy responses like retraining programs or income safety nets, entire sectors could face instability.
Policy Action Needed Now
The takeaway is clear: if AI keeps advancing at this pace, countries need to rethink workforce planning and education before automation outruns adaptation. DeepSeek's warning reinforces that AI is no longer a distant threat—it's an immediate policy priority.
Saad Ullah
