JD.com: Richard Liu Transforms 700,000 Delivery Workers into AI Experts

⚡

Key Takeaways

1Richard Liu, founder of JD.com, plans to train 700,000 delivery workers for office roles in the age of AI.

2JD.com is collaborating with 120 schools in China to train its employees in the repair and maintenance of robots.

3Robot deliveries, including by drones, are becoming widespread in China, with Meituan considering deliveries on the Great Wall.

💡Why it matters — This transition illustrates how automation is redefining the labor market, transforming manual jobs into skilled technical positions.

Richard Liu and His Vision for JD.com

Richard Liu, the founder of JD.com, recently shared his ambitious vision for the future of his employees in the context of increasing automation. With the rise of robots in the delivery sector, Liu envisions transforming his 700,000 delivery workers into office employees. This transition aims to prepare his workforce for a future where manual tasks will increasingly be handled by machines.

The Impact of Robots on Manual Labor

According to Liu, robots are set to replace physical delivery tasks. However, he emphasizes that humans will remain essential, particularly for the maintenance and repair of these machines. Thus, instead of focusing on fieldwork, JD.com employees may soon find themselves behind a desk, managing and repairing the robots that will perform manual labor.

Training and Redeployment of Employees

To facilitate this transition, JD.com has signed partnerships with 120 educational institutions across China. The goal is to train current workers for new roles, primarily focused on the maintenance and repair of robots. Liu highlighted the importance of this redeployment, stating that employees whose positions would be replaced by robots would not be laid off but rather trained for new functions.

A Call for an International Protocol

Liu also advocated for the establishment of an international protocol regarding the adoption of AI and robots. He believes that the evolution of social systems must ensure that robots do not deprive individuals of their right to work. In May, he had already stated that JD.com is committed to not laying off its employees due to automation, but rather to training them for other positions.

The Rise of Automated Deliveries

In China, robot deliveries are already a reality, with drones being used to transport food packages. Meituan, a food delivery giant, announced that by 2024, its drones could be used to deliver packages to hikers on the Great Wall of China. This technological advancement demonstrates how automation is transforming the delivery sector.

Automation on a Global Scale

Liu's comments come in a global context where e-commerce companies are ramping up their automation efforts. For example, Amazon already uses over 750,000 robots in its distribution centers. Other companies, like DoorDash, have launched autonomous delivery robots in U.S. cities, while firms like Robot.com and Starship focus on deliveries on university campuses.

AI and Layoffs in the Business World

Beyond deliveries, automation and artificial intelligence have become key factors in workforce reduction decisions. Companies such as Snap, Wix, and Cisco have cited AI as one of the reasons for their recent waves of layoffs. This trend shows how AI is redefining not only the delivery sector but also the entire labor market.

Statements at the APEC Forum

It was during an APEC CEO forum held on Sunday that Richard Liu made these significant statements. This event served as a platform to discuss the implications of AI and automation on the global labor market, highlighting JD.com's efforts to adapt to these changes.