At a major technology conference in China, DeepSeek researcher Chen Deli raised concerns that are quickly gaining traction in the global tech community. He warned about the impending replacement of human jobs by artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Deli noted that while AI can help humanity progress, it also presents a significant threat to the workforce, potentially displacing most human jobs within the next decade.
His remarks marked DeepSeek’s first major public appearance since the company’s rapid rise in 2025, following breakthroughs in multimodal AI models that compete with those of major players like OpenAI and Anthropic.
A Stark Prediction: AI Could Replace All Human Jobs
During his speech, Chen Deli made a clear prediction about the future of artificial intelligence. While AI currently aids humans in boosting productivity, Deli argued that in under ten years, it could be capable of performing nearly all human tasks. This shift could disrupt established labor systems and destabilize economies.
“In the next 10 to 20 years, AI could take over most of the work humans do, and society could face a serious challenge,” said Deli. “At that point, tech companies need to take on the role of protectors.”
Deli’s statement shows a unique blend of optimism about technology and concern about society. He praised the remarkable advancements in AI research but cautioned that unchecked automation could lead to widespread job losses and increased social inequality.
“I’m very positive about the technology, but I have a negative view of its potential impact on society,” he added.
Tech Companies as Protectors of Humanity
Unlike many AI executives who focus on innovation and profits, Deli urged tech leaders to take ethical and moral responsibility for the tools they create. He encouraged companies to see themselves not just as developers but as protectors of human welfare.
“Once AI systems become more capable, tech companies should act as whistleblowers, alerting society to potential dangers,” Deli said. “Tech companies should serve as guardians of humanity — at the very least protecting human safety, and then helping to reshape societal order.”
His comments reflect growing worries within the AI research field that the race to create more powerful models is outpacing society’s ability to cope with them.
DeepSeek’s Rising Influence in China’s AI Landscape
DeepSeek’s presence at the Wuzhen conference was symbolic. Often seen as China’s answer to OpenAI, the company has become central to China’s plans for AI self-reliance and technological leadership. Founded by researchers focusing on large language models and neural architectures, DeepSeek has gained attention for its efficient training methods that significantly lower computational costs.
While the company has remained relatively quiet since its breakthroughs, Chen Deli’s public comments highlighted DeepSeek’s growing confidence and influence in shaping China’s AI story. His appearance alongside leaders from Unitree Robotics and BrainCo also showcases the country’s rapidly developing AI ecosystem, which includes robotics, brain–computer interfaces, and cognitive computing.
A Global Debate: Will AI Destroy or Redefine Jobs?
Deli’s warning resonates with a larger discussion that’s been intensifying among global AI leaders. Across Silicon Valley, similar concerns have emerged, though opinions vary on the impact and timing of job displacement caused by AI.
Earlier this year, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei made a striking claim. He suggested that AI could eliminate as much as half of all entry-level white-collar jobs, which could lead to widespread unemployment in sectors like customer service, finance, and legal research. Amodei sees this moment as a “tipping point” where society needs to rethink education, workforce policies, and safety nets.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shares some concerns but takes a more balanced view. He often highlights AI’s potential to increase productivity and generate new opportunities while acknowledging the risk of significant job loss. He has even admitted that his own role could eventually be taken over by AI systems that can lead companies or make strategic decisions independently.
“I think AI will take over some of my work someday,” Altman said in an earlier interview. “That’s not necessarily bad — but it depends on how we get ready for it.”
The Alternative View: AI as a Tool for Empowerment
Not everyone shares the bleak outlook. Several leading figures in the industry believe AI’s growth will enhance human abilities instead of fully replacing them.
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, has consistently argued that although some jobs will vanish, AI will also create new types of work that we cannot yet imagine. He compares the rise of AI to the Industrial Revolution — initially disruptive, but ultimately positive once society adapts.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, whose company powers much of today’s AI infrastructure, offers one of the most optimistic perspectives on the matter. Huang claims that job loss won’t be caused by AI itself but by people not using it effectively.
“You’re not going to lose your job to an AI,” Huang said earlier this year. “You’re going to lose your job to someone who uses AI.”
This viewpoint sees AI not as a threat, but as an advantage for those willing to learn and adapt.
A Call for Shared Responsibility
Deli’s comments, though concerning, are not calls for alarm. Instead, they represent a plea for shared responsibility among AI developers, governments, and society as a whole. As AI capabilities grow, the gap between technological progress and social adaptation could widen, leading to serious ethical and economic problems.
Experts argue that addressing these challenges will need cooperation from all sides, including new policies for ethical AI development, investments in education and retraining, and fresh economic models that prioritize human welfare in a highly automated world.
Deli’s suggestion that tech companies act as protectors of humanity serves as an important reminder that the quest for innovation must consider its social impacts. His comments imply that the real challenge of AI may not be technical, but rather philosophical and moral: how to maintain human dignity and purpose in a world increasingly dominated by machines.
The Coming Decade
As the global AI race intensifies, the next ten years will be crucial in determining whether artificial intelligence becomes a tool for growth or disruption. DeepSeek’s Chen Deli adds to a growing chorus of researchers calling for caution, reflection, and responsibility during this transformative time.
The challenge now lies not just in creating smarter machines but in fostering a smarter society — one that can harness AI’s potential while protecting what makes humanity irreplaceable.
