“It feels like Squid Game”: China’s workers scramble to keep up in the AI race
… How can you not be anxious?” Li’s employer laid off 30% of its workforce in 2025, cutting employees who were unable to adapt quickly enough to AI. …
… How can you not be anxious?” Li’s employer laid off 30% of its workforce in 2025, cutting employees who were unable to adapt quickly enough to AI. …
… Unitree’s R&D Among Unitree’s 480 employees, 175 work in research and development, representing roughly 37% of its total workforce. …
… Even if the buildings survived, they depend on Dutch lithography machines, Japanese chemicals, American design tools, and a workforce of tens of thousands of highly specialized engineers , many of whom would not stay under Chinese rule. …
… She explained that even before AI tools were available, workers on these platforms would take on free assignments or accept pay cuts to stay ahead of other contractors. …