Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun made a bold prediction during China's National People's Congress: the AI era could slash weekly work to just three days, two hours per day. He simultaneously announced a massive $200 billion (CNY 200 billion) R&D budget over the next five years, with a focus on humanoid robots and smart manufacturing.
Lei Jun's Vision: Rethinking Work Time
Speaking to China News Weekly, Lei said AI will rewrite many rules and generate vast new job categories. He urged an open mindset:
Perhaps in the future we will only need to work three days a week, two hours a day; our quality of life and work will greatly improve.
But he cautioned that skill requirements will shift dramatically—premiums for generic skills are declining, while demand for chip designers and robot maintenance engineers will surge.
Xiaomi Doubles Down on R&D, Trials Humanoid Robots at Car Factory
Lei revealed that Xiaomi's automobile factory has already started testing humanoid robots as a starting point for smart manufacturing. He expects more robots to enter production lines in the coming years. Over the past five years, Xiaomi has invested CNY 105 billion in core technologies like chips, operating systems, and AI. The new CNY 200 billion commitment nearly doubles that spending, signaling a strong bet on AI infrastructure.
Structural Labor Market Challenges
The rosy vision clashes with real-world employment pressures. China's Minister of Human Resources and Social Security reported that the number of college graduates in 2026 is projected to reach 12.7 million, up 480,000 from last year. As automation expands alongside a growing labor supply, downward pressure on starting salaries and job structures will intensify.
Lei advised young people to deepen their expertise over three to ten years, focusing on areas with lasting technical value. Analysts warn that if companies use automation to buffer external tariff and cost pressures, the bargaining power of low-skilled workers in China could weaken further.