Is Deepseek AI Replacing Civil Servants in China?
Image Credit: Solen Feyissa | Splash
A wave of artificial intelligence adoption is sweeping through local governments in China, spurred by the recent launch of the innovative DeepSeek AI model. The fully open-source reasoning model, developed by Hangzhou-based DeepSeek, has quickly become a cornerstone of governmental operations across multiple cities, promising unprecedented efficiency while sparking a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension among the public.
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DeepSeek AI: A Game-Changer in Governance
The rollout of DeepSeek’s capabilities was showcased this week when Shenzhen’s Futian district announced the deployment of 70 AI-powered units based on the DeepSeek-R1 model. These units handle 11 distinct functions, including drafting government documents, reviewing investment proposals, and coordinating tasks across departments. According to a statement on Futian’s official WeChat account, the AI has slashed the time required to produce a government circular from five days to mere minutes, achieving a format accuracy rate above 95%. Audits, previously a time-consuming process, have seen a 90% reduction in duration, with errors dropping below 5%.
Other cities, including Guangzhou in Guangdong, Hohhot in Inner Mongolia, Ganzhou in Jiangxi, and Wuxi in Jiangsu, have followed suit, integrating AI into their administrative frameworks. The rapid uptake reflects a broader push by Chinese leadership to leverage technology for enhanced governance. President Xi Jinping, speaking at a symposium with entrepreneurs—including DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng—on February 17, 2025, urged innovators to drive economic growth through technological advancement, a message echoed in his ongoing calls for governments to adopt big data and AI.
DeepSeek’s model stands out for its cost-effectiveness and accessibility. Cheaper to train and operate than many leading global AI systems, it offers comparable performance while being tailored to Chinese users. Launched last month, the model has drawn international attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump labeling it a “wake-up call” for American tech industries amid escalating U.S.-China tech tensions, including chip export restrictions.
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Efficiency Gains Fuel Optimism—and Anxiety
For local governments, the benefits are tangible. In Futian, the “70 AI employees” have streamlined responses to public inquiries, expedited corporate project evaluations, and improved interdepartmental workflows. State media, including CCTV, celebrated the initiative as a triumph of Chinese innovation, spotlighting it as a milestone in the nation’s pursuit of AI leadership.
Public reaction, however, has been far from unanimous. On Weibo, one user praised the technology as a cost-saving measure, arguing, “If AI can handle so much, why keep funding so many civil servants with public money?” With China employing 8 million civil servants and 32 million public institution workers, according to official figures, such sentiments highlight a growing debate over workforce efficiency. Last year’s national civil service exam saw 3.4 million applicants vying for limited spots, underscoring the intense competition for these stable, so-called “iron rice bowl” jobs amid economic uncertainty.
Yet, not all view AI’s rise as a boon. Susan Zhou, a civil servant in Wuxi, described a mixed experience: “It’s a relief to have AI draft memos and summarize reports quickly, but my supervisor now expects me to outshine the AI with creative tasks—something the bureaucracy doesn’t easily allow”. Her account reflects a broader tension: while AI enhances productivity, it also pressures employees to redefine their roles in a system historically resistant to risk-taking.
[Read More: DeepSeek AI Faces Security and Privacy Backlash Amid OpenAI Data Theft Allegations]
Fears of Job Displacement Loom Large
The specter of job losses looms large, particularly among younger generations. Wang Xiaozhou, a public administration student in Tianjin set to graduate next year, voiced deep concern: “The civil service exam is already a battle, and now AI might shrink the number of openings”. Her fears are not unfounded. While Beijing cut central government positions by 5% in 2023 to streamline operations—a target whose completion remains unconfirmed—local governments face no such mandate, leaving their staffing plans uncertain as AI adoption accelerates.
Across the Pacific, parallels emerge. In the U.S., billionaire Elon Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency, reportedly aims to replace thousands of laid-off federal workers with AI tools, a move Wang cited as evidence of a global trend. “I’ve started studying algorithms to stay competitive”, she added, a testament to the proactive steps some are taking in response.
Government Reassurances Meet Skepticism
Addressing the public outcry, Gao Zeng, deputy head of Futian’s digital service bureau, emphasized in a video statement that AI is a supportive tool, not a replacement for human workers. “It aids decision-making, nothing more”, he said. Despite this, skepticism persists, with online discussions reflecting unease about the technology’s long-term implications.
Analysts note that China’s AI push aligns with its strategic goals amid U.S.-led sanctions. State media have framed DeepSeek as a national champion, reinforcing its role in the country’s tech rivalry with the West. Yet, the domestic fallout—particularly for a workforce reliant on government jobs—remains a critical unanswered question.
Source: SCMP, Reuters, China Daily Hong Kong, Bastille Post Global
