Chinese media expresses concerns about increasing discrimination in the workplace due to artificial intelligence: Tech: Tech Times

According to the South China Morning Post, Chinese state media have raised the alarm in recent weeks over the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to increase discrimination in the workplace.

This highlights important social and legal implications as the nation increasingly implements artificial intelligence in several important sectors.

Chinese state media has warned of possible workplace discrimination due to artificial intelligence

The official Chinese publication Economic Daily stated that artificial intelligence may lead to increased gender and age discrimination in job recruitment processes.

SCMP said the article highlighted the risk of “algorithmic bias and discrimination” when artificial intelligence is used to evaluate job applicants. According to the publication, the use of artificial intelligence for initial screening, although potentially effective, often fails to capture the complexity and diversity of human behavior.

This limitation raises concerns that AI-based ratings could reinforce existing biases against certain demographic groups.

Personal data such as gender, age and place of birth can unduly influence AI ratings, exacerbating discrimination in the workplace. Economic Daily urged employers to remain vigilant about these threats and urged government agencies to implement measures to prevent such bias and investigate any labor violations resulting from the use of AI.

The publication highlights the need for a robust regulatory framework to curb the misuse of AI technologies in the employment sector.

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China’s Artificial Intelligence Regulations

The Chinese government sees artificial intelligence as a key part of its efforts to revive its economy and address long-term challenges, including a shrinking labor force. As part of this strategy, China has also sought to exercise strict regulatory control over artificial intelligence technologies, citing cybersecurity and ethical concerns.

This regulatory approach includes the China Cyberspace Administration’s introduction of Artificial Intelligence Guidelines, effective August 15, 2023, aimed at regulating the emerging AI sector.

These guidelines require providers of generative AI services to conduct security audits and register their algorithms with the government to prevent disinformation and protect user privacy.

How artificial intelligence affects the global labor market

In a global context, AI-enabled technologies are widely used to screen and evaluate candidates, support recruiters, and evaluate candidates.

A recent report revealed that 99 percent of Fortune 500 companies use AI tools in their recruiting processes, especially in low-wage positions where historically marginalized workers are disproportionately represented.

As a result, People Management noted, these workers are at greater risk of employment discrimination due to AI. Artificial intelligence algorithms, shaped by the datasets on which they are built, can perpetuate existing errors if the underlying data is biased.

SCMP tells us that China’s labor law clearly prohibits gender discrimination, but problems persist. Public debate is increasingly focusing on the “age 35 phenomenon”, referring to workplace discrimination that usually begins at this age.

Scientists warn that such age discrimination could have serious economic consequences as the country’s population ages and its workforce shrinks.

Chinese lawmakers and policy advisers have echoed these concerns, calling for effective regulation to address potential problems arising from the use of artificial intelligence.

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