AI to support China’s social welfare system
President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed support for AI development, urging private sector leaders to drive technological advancements in social and economic sectors.
China is stepping up the use of AI and big data in elderly and social care as it seeks to address economic challenges posed by a shrinking workforce and an ageing population.
Civil affairs minister Lu Zhiyuan announced the initiative at the ‘Two Sessions’ political gathering, highlighting efforts to make services more accessible and efficient.
The country’s population has declined for a third consecutive year, with over 310 million people now aged 60 and above.
Officials are increasingly turning to technology to drive future growth. Local governments have moved swiftly to integrate AI into public services, with DeepSeek‘s chatbot gaining traction since its latest version was released in January.
Despite restrictions on AI chip sales imposed by the United States, DeepSeek’s cost-effective model has outperformed several Western competitors, reinforcing China’s position in AI development.
President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed the government’s support for AI, recently meeting with leaders from top technology firms, including DeepSeek, Tencent, Huawei and Xiaomi.
The push for AI adoption in social welfare services reflects a broader strategy to maintain economic stability and innovation in the face of demographic challenges.
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