China set to hire more ‘virtual’ workers after property developer China Vanke names AI robot a top employee for 2021

The growth potential for artificial intelligence (AI) applications in China appears to remain strong, following property developer China Vanke’s recent move to name its in-house-developed virtual debt collector as a top employee for 2021.

The software robot named Cui Xiaopan, represented by a lifelike female avatar, was bestowed the honour of “2021 Vanke Headquarters Outstanding Newcomer Award”, according to China Vanke chairman Yu Liang’s WeChat Moments post on December 20, which has since become widely cited in Chinese social media. He credited the AI employee for proving much more efficient than human beings in terms of pressing debtors and reminding them to pay.

That development has become a prime example of why China, which plans to be a world leader in AI by 2030, is predicted to deploy more virtual employees this year, according to a report by consulting firm Analysys published this week.

China Vanke’s virtual debt collector is one the latest AI applications to generate plenty of buzz on the mainland in recent years, after the likes of Tencent Holdings’ robot reporter “Dreamwriter”, which can churn out 1,000-word stories in 60 seconds, and the AI television news anchor of state-run Xinhua News Agency.

There will emerge “more virtual employees who have both business and technological capabilities among the companies that are equipped with robotic process automation, low-code development platforms and artificial intelligence technologies”, the Analysys report said. “With these virtual employees setting examples with their high performance, other employees will also be encouraged to improve their skills, which will eventually drive the digital transformation of these companies.”

China Vanke, the country’s third-biggest home seller by sales with about 140,000 employees, is already known for rapidly implementing technology, including robot cooks to prepare lunch, at its various projects on the mainland to save on human resources and maintain a high level of standard for its services.