On April 26, the sub-forum of Shanghai Forum 2025 “Labor Market Transformation in the Digital Economy: Policy Responses and Future Outlook” was held at Think Tank Building, Fudan University. The forum brought together professors and researchers in the field of sociology, economics and data science worldwide to discuss how AI, big data, and social computing are reshaping labor markets.
Through reports and discussions, the forum covered multiple topics including AI development, labor market restructuring, workplace transformation, occupational choices, digital governance, etc.
Professor Stein Kuhnle from University of Bergen delivered opening remarks for the forum, noting that AI, big data, and digital technologies are exerting profound impacts on the labor market.
“Some jobs are becoming more powerful and better paid because of these technologies, while other jobs are becoming riskier — workers might lose them more easily. In the worst cases, some jobs might disappear completely as AI takes over the work.” He remarked.
Transformation of the Job Market Driven by Digitalization
WEI Xiao of Fudan University started the forum with his speech “Empowering the future: The Transformation of the Job Market Driven by Artificial Intelligence”. Wei emphasized that in the era where artificial intelligence can achieve proficiency in almost every aspect, young professionals should develop their strengths in areas of particular interest as AI can compensate for general knowledge and specialized expertise is likely to become more valued. He also indicated that the government should play a role in upgrading the social security system and promoting industrial restructuring.
Following up on the topic of AI’s influence on the job market, Sissel C. Trygstad, research professor at Fafo, a Norwegian think tank, shared her findings from the Nordic labor market’s point of view. “Currently, we are not yet observing the polarization of the labor market caused by AI.”
“However, it is evident that AI has already reduced the availability of entry-level positions and routine jobs. Furthermore, as AI capabilities improve, many middle-to-low-income workers face increasing risks of being displaced.” She concluded.
WU Yuxiao of Nanjing University shared the results from his working paper. The study examines how China’s digital-intelligent transformation (2012-2022) reshapes labor markets and social stratification.
Using occupational classification data and machine learning methods, the study reveals China’s unique “dual-path” technological impact — digitalization elevates skill requirements while automation reconfigures task structures, jointly reshaping earning determinants.
However, post-2022 generative AI developments may disrupt these patterns, potentially automating cognitive jobs and creating new occupational categories, warranting continued research.
Flexible Workplace and Social Integration of Migrants
Eric Fong from the University of Hong Kong shared his views on the topic “Workplace Transformation and Social Integration of Migrants”. According to him, the covid-19 pandemic caused a rising popularity of flexible workplace, which influenced immigrants’ language learning process in exposure, efficiency and incentives.
Fong revealed insightful findings that working from home causes a decrease of language proficiency for immigrants. For instance, home-based immigrant workers in Hong Kong lacked proficiency in Cantonese compared with office-based or no fixed-workplace workers.
The study ultimately advocates hybrid work models combining online and in-person interactions, along with community engagement, to mitigate remote work’s adverse effects on language assimilation and cultural integration.
The Reality Facing Food Delivery Workers
Makoto Abe from Orita University shared his findings on platform work. He researched the working status of food delivery workers in Japan, showing that platform workers (e.g. UberEats riders) often identify as self-employed, and their self-perceived employment status must be respected.
While extending traditional employee protections to them may not be wholly appropriate, platforms must urgently address their demands for minimum protection, transparency regarding pay structures and the platforms’ systematic reforms.
What professions are preferred by today’s Chinese young people?
Jessie Sun, vice CEO of Data Story offered an innovative insight into the occupation choice and the mental state of China’s contemporary young professionals. Using big data collected through social media, she analyzed that in contrast with older generations, young people nowadays redefine popular jobs, with more people choosing careers such as street vendors and live streamers.
In addition, she mentioned that young professionals seek self-nurturing and emotional self-adjustment in their occupation choice, representing the idea “boundless of life”.
Algorithmic Governance as a New Guardian of Welfare Rights and Deservingness in the Active Welfare States in Europe
Shifting the focus to governmental practices, Minna van Gerven of University of Helsinki introduced the concept of digital welfare states, stating that public services have increasingly been empowered by digital technologies including digital benefit claims and automated processing, offering remote services, etc.
With further analysis, she pointed out that while we hold high expectations for technology, significant obstacles remain — particularly our over-reliance on data and algorithmic systems. Current tools struggle to capture life’s complexity, and critical data gaps persist, often leading to oversimplified conclusions.
Towards the end of the forum, the professors and researchers reached a shared recognition: AI and other digital technologies are indeed reshaping the labor market, with demand for technical talents but risks for jobs easily replaceable by artificial intelligence.
Adapting to the change of employment Structure requires joint effort of the government, companies and universities. By analyzing these transformative forces and anticipating future trends, we are now better positioned to develop innovative, policy-responsive strategies that address both current challenges and emerging opportunities in the world of jobs.
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Writer: WANG Kaiyu
Proofreader: WANG Jingyang
Editor: WANG Mengqi, LI Yijie
