China will accelerate the use of artificial intelligence and big data in elderly and social care, as confirmed by Civil Affairs Minister Lu Zhiyuan during the annual "Two Sessions" political gathering. The initiative aims to make services for seniors and disabled individuals "more convenient, accessible, and standardized" through technologies like DeepSeek's AI models, which have outperformed Western counterparts despite U.S. chip restrictions[1][4].
Local governments are rapidly adopting DeepSeek’s cost-effective AI chatbot, released in January 2025, to enhance elder care efficiency. The model’s success comes amid a shrinking workforce and a third consecutive annual population decline, with over 310 million citizens now aged 60+[1][7].
President Xi Jinping recently hosted a private enterprise symposium attended by Tencent, Huawei, and Xiaomi executives, urging intensified AI development. DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng participated in this high-profile meeting, signaling strong government support for homegrown technological solutions[1][7].
The AI push coincides with China’s 2024 population milestone where seniors comprise 22% of citizens, straining traditional care models like the "9073" system where 90% rely on home care. Experts suggest AI-driven monitoring and assistive devices could reduce pressure on understaffed facilities[2][6].
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