China announced on Sunday that it will speed up the use of artificial intelligence and big data in elderly care and social services. This move comes as the country faces an aging population, low birth rates, and a shrinking workforce.
At a news conference during China’s annual Two Sessions political gathering, Civil Affairs Minister Lu Zhiyuan said, “We will accelerate the development and application of new technologies and products such as big data and artificial intelligence in the fields of social assistance, elderly care services, and services for the disabled.” His goal is to make these services more convenient, accessible, and standardized.
China’s population declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, with over 310 million people now aged 60 and above. With fewer workers available, the government is turning to technology to help drive future economic growth.
Local governments have already begun to integrate DeepSeek’s AI model into their services. The updated chatbot, released in January, has been praised for its cost-effectiveness and performance, even as US restrictions on advanced AI chips have affected some Western competitors.
President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his support for the technology sector last month. During a rare symposium for private companies, he urged tech firms to “show their talents.” DeepSeek’s founder, Liang Wenfeng, along with representatives from companies like Tencent, Huawei, and Xiaomi, attended the meeting.
