Chinese court rules companies can't fire workers simply because AI can replace them

A Chinese court ruled that employers cannot fire or demote workers solely because AI can do their jobs.

A worker who was demoted and then dismissed after AI took over his role challenged the decision and won at arbitration and in court.

The court said AI adoption is a business decision, not a legal basis for ending employment just because a job is automated.

The ruling signals that companies must still follow labor-law requirements when restructuring around automation.