JD.com founder Liu Qiangdong promised on May 27, 2026, that the e-commerce giant would protect its 900,000-strong workforce from losing jobs to automation and artificial intelligence [1, 2, 3]. In an internal speech, Liu said, "JD.com will not fire a single front-line worker replaced by machines," underscoring the company’s commitment to job security [2].
The company employs a broad range of workers, including couriers, store clerks, AI trainers, and robot maintenance engineers [1, 2, 3]. JD.com is actively experimenting with AI-driven and unmanned technologies such as automated warehouses, drone deliveries, self-driving vehicles, unmanned delivery stations, and convenience stores [1, 2, 3].
To support workers affected by automation, JD.com has set up over 80 training bases throughout China where staff receive retraining for roles servicing and maintaining new automated systems [1, 2, 3]. These efforts come as Chinese courts in late April 2026 issued rulings requiring companies to avoid terminating employees or cutting salaries solely due to AI replacement, and mandating retraining or reassignment before termination [1, 2, 3].
Authorities have introduced early legal protections to reduce the impact of AI on jobs and maintain labor market stability amid economic slowdown and rising youth unemployment [1, 2, 3]. In 2025, Chinese regulators also mandated companies must retrain or reassign workers before termination [1, 2, 3].
JD.com’s workforce protections align with these legal requirements and represent a direct response to rising AI adoption in logistics and retail. The company’s next key step is to continue expanding its worker retraining programs to ensure employees adapt to new roles created by automation.
