‘They Don’t Need People’: The Workers Left Behind by China’s Robot Drive

In Kunshan, once a thriving hub for electronics manufacturing, factory workers are struggling as robots increasingly take over production roles. The region, which once bustled with human labor, now sees its workers seeking solace in parks, reflecting a broader trend in China where automation is reshaping the workforce. This shift underscores the profound economic and social implications for those left behind, highlighting a critical transition in industrial labor dynamics and raising questions about the future of work in an increasingly automated world.