“AI Anxiety” is real and its growing as fast as the spread of AI in daily life. In China, where the spectacle of humanoid robots performing a perfectly synchronised dance is seen as technological progress, it has also occasioned “AI Anxiety”.
It reflects a fear of being outpaced by technology. Of what it could mean for human roles in the future. In China, citizens are witnessing firsthand how AI is reshaping industries from manufacturing to media, and now even entertainment.
According to Tony Peng, a former AI reporter and close watcher of China’s tech scene, people in China have mostly been quite optimistic about AI. A KPMG survey even found that 69% of Chinese respondents think AI’s benefits outweigh the risks, compared to just 35% in the US.
Rising “AI Anxiety” in China
But in recent weeks, the phrase “AI Anxiety” has been popping up everywhere in podcasts, articles, videos especially after the OpenClaw hype took off. Data from WeChat Index shows searches for the term shot up sharply from mid-February, peaking at over 2 million on March 10, far above normal levels. The term even trended on Weibo last week showing that the excitement around AI is now being matched by a growing sense of unease.
A Chinese tech blogger writing on CIFnews.com, a China-based platform focused on cross-border e-commerce and global trade insights, shared that he spent the 2026 Lunar New Year dealing with intense “AI anxiety.”
With new tools and technologies appearing everywhere from AI-generated videos to dancing robots there is growing pressure to keep up. However, this often backfires. Many people end up knowing a little about many tools without truly mastering any, jumping from one to another mainly to show off online.
As a result, they see little real improvement in their work or daily life, and the constant effort only increases their stress.
What Does China’s People’s Daily Say?
People’s Daily noted in an article titled “AI Must Be Controllable, and So Must Tech Anxiety” that the rapid rise of tools like OpenClaw is amplifying a broader worry of “falling behind”. While AI is becoming more powerful, moving from answering questions to executing tasks, the article stresses that such tools are still in an early stage, with limitations, costs, and security risks.
It cautions that not everyone needs to adopt every new technology, and blindly chasing trends can do more harm than good. Instead, both users and platforms should approach AI rationally, ensuring that technological progress does not fuel unnecessary panic or pressure.
Digital news site Nanfang Commentary argued that while a small number of AI roles offer high salaries, they are limited and difficult to access, leaving many feeling left behind. At the same time, the rise of low-quality AI content is making workers worry about the value of their skills. The hype around tools like OpenClaw is adding to the pressure, as people rush to spend money or join courses, turning curiosity into stress.
Job Fears And Industry Impact
Even today, AI-related concerns continued to trend on Weibo. A viral discussion around “AI actors” was sparked after Yaoke Media (a China-based film and television production company) announced two AI digital artists and a new AI-led series. This led to widespread fears that AI could replace human actors, especially in supporting roles.
In response, a hashtag “Yaoke says it will not replace supporting actors with AI”, which soon began trending, as the company tried to calm public concerns. As AI continues to move faster than ever, the real challenge may not be the technology itself but how people learn to keep up without losing confidence in their own place in the future.
