Exchange on: Challenges and reforms of social security systems in the age of digitalization and artificial intelligence

Together with experts of the Chinese Association of Social Security (CAoSS) and its president Prof. Zheng Gongcheng, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), FES Beijing co-hosted a seminar on challenges and reforms of social security systems in the age of digitalization and artificial intelligence in Dali, Yunnan province.

Companies in both Germany and China are increasingly investing in the digitalization, automation and robotization of their work processes for various reasons. The role of automation will certainly continue to grow in both our countries over the next few years and is by no means limited to industrial sectors.

The increasing use of automation, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) is opening up new possibilities that could redefine our idea of work. Automation can improve the economic performance, productivity and efficiency of economies and companies. It can also alleviate labor shortages in aging or shrinking societies. However, automation carries also the risk of increasing inequalities. For example, rising productivity due to increasing automation and robotization can mean that the same product/service can be provided with less labor input and can actually lead to job substitution and thus also (possibly) reduce social security contributions.

Against this background CAoSS-experts – from different Chinese universities and government agencies – exchanged ideas and experiences with representatives of FES Beijing on reforms of social security systems in the age of digitalization and artificial intelligence.