As the digital economy flourishes throughout China, it is giving rise to fresh vocational roles and job opportunities, driving industrial transformation while simultaneously unlocking new employment potential.
At this robotics training facility in Beijing, a group of young professionals is using VR headsets, robotic arms, and other remote-control devices to guide robots in sorting items and serving meals. Zhou Yingying, who works as a technician for embodied intelligence robot applications, handles data collection and processing alongside her duties in debugging, installation, and daily maintenance. Because the workforce in this field has now reached a considerable size, it has recently been officially included in the eighth batch of new professions.
During interviews, reporters learned that these emerging occupations stem directly from industry needs, making composite learning skills and practical adaptability highly valued. Zhou's team, which comprises over 30 members, draws on a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds.
It's not just embodied intelligence robot technicians. As China's embodied intelligence sector accelerates its evolution, a single robotic platform has already generated over 20 new professions and specialized roles. From industrial robot system operators handling the hardware to AI trainers developing the robot's "brain," and extending to generative AI system application specialists who facilitate real-world deployment, the talent shortage in this area now exceeds one million positions.
Meanwhile, the ongoing expansion of China's digital economy is broadening the employment landscape across other sectors. Smart manufacturing has spawned roles such as industrial vision system maintenance technicians, while digital twin engineers apply their skills in fields like smart city development. According to data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, China has now officially classified and published 113 digital occupations.
Editor's note: Zhang Zixuan contributed to this edition.