The 2025 Two Sessions: Autonomous Driving Legislation and Scaled Application Take Center Stage, High-Quality Employment Presents New Opportunities

The 2025 Two Sessions: Autonomous Driving Legislation and Scaled Application Take Center Stage, High-Quality Employment Presents New OpportunitiesAutonomous driving was once again a focal point for delegates and committee members during the 2025 National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), collectively known as the "Two Sessions." Numerous delegates and committee members, including prominent entrepreneur Lei Jun, submitted proposals and motions urging the accelerated development and revision of relevant laws and regulations to promote the large-scale application of autonomous driving technology across a wider range of scenarios

The 2025 Two Sessions: Autonomous Driving Legislation and Scaled Application Take Center Stage, High-Quality Employment Presents New Opportunities

Autonomous driving was once again a focal point for delegates and committee members during the 2025 National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), collectively known as the "Two Sessions." Numerous delegates and committee members, including prominent entrepreneur Lei Jun, submitted proposals and motions urging the accelerated development and revision of relevant laws and regulations to promote the large-scale application of autonomous driving technology across a wider range of scenarios. This call reflects both the opportunities and challenges facing the current autonomous driving industry, and its profound impact on future economic development and employment structure transformation.

The global automotive industry has entered a new era of intelligence, with autonomous driving becoming a key area of competition among nations. Developed countries such as those in Europe and America are actively promoting the large-scale implementation of autonomous driving and the establishment of legal support systems. In China, L4 autonomous vehicles, such as those operated by RoboTaxi, are steadily advancing pilot applications in multiple cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, and Chongqing, and are accelerating their global expansion, laying the foundation for large-scale deployment.

Wu Renbiao, a deputy to the National People's Congress and vice president of the Civil Aviation University of China, noted at the Two Sessions that China is at the forefront of autonomous driving. He suggested expediting amendments to the Road Traffic Safety Law and other higher-level legislation, granting more authority to qualified localities to leverage local resources and conduct large-scale pilot applications of autonomous driving vehicles in broader scenarios. He believes this is crucial not only for the development of autonomous driving itself but also for providing valuable experience for the safe and orderly development of the low-altitude economy. Wu emphasized the high degree of overlap in key technologies between autonomous vehicles and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) namely, new energy, 5G, and artificial intelligence but noted the greater safety challenges presented by the complex and variable weather conditions of low-altitude flight. He argued that a lack of public confidence in the safety of autonomous vehicles would pose a significant hurdle to the popularization and promotion of AAM.

Significantly, the rapid development of autonomous driving and other emerging technologies like artificial intelligence has also sparked concern among delegates and committee members regarding their impact on traditional industries and employment structures. Jiang Haoran, a CPPCC member, Party secretary, and chairman of Hengyin Financial Technology Co., Ltd., proposed in his motion encouraging and supporting enterprises to actively explore AI application scenarios and vigorously promote the application of AI in key social areas such as urban management and public services to generate more high-quality employment opportunities.

Jiang pointed out the close relationship between new-sector employment and AI technological development. Using autonomous driving as an example, he acknowledged that in the long term, this technology may reduce the demand for traditional drivers (such as taxi and truck drivers). However, he emphasized that this replacement is not simply a disappearance of jobs but rather a catalyst for employment structure transformation and labor market reform, ultimately creating more new job opportunities.

The National Development Institute of Peking University's report, "The Potential Impact of AI Large Models on China's Labor Market: 2024," showed that in the first half of 2024, two of the top five fastest-growing AI-related job categories were related to autonomous driving: intelligent driving system engineers (49% growth) and navigation algorithm engineers (47% growth). Furthermore, among the 19 new professions jointly released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, etc., are intelligent connected vehicle testers and intelligent connected vehicle installation, adjustment, and maintenance personnel. These new opportunities, including labor-intensive roles, are poised to become a new reservoir for the workforce.

However, technological advancement and the large-scale application of new technologies require regulation and guidance through laws and regulations. While competing to seize the opportunities presented by autonomous driving, countries worldwide place significant emphasis on legislative frameworks to ensure its safety. As China's autonomous driving industry stands at a critical juncture of large-scale implementation, it urgently needs to accelerate the legislative process for autonomous driving, building upon existing policies and regulations. This will not only inject confidence into the development of China's intelligent vehicle industry but also help maintain its leading position in global competition.

During last year's Two Sessions, Zhou Guangquan, a deputy to the National People's Congress, vice chairman of the NPC Constitution and Law Committee, and dean of Tsinghua University Law School, suggested accelerating national-level legislation to promote the implementation of high-level autonomous driving. He also offered specific suggestions regarding the on-road operation of autonomous vehicles, liability determination, and data management, including suggesting that vehicle owners and managers assume responsibility instead of drivers, introducing a principle of no-fault liability in accident liability determination, and clarifying data storage and provision obligations.

In summary, the 2025 Two Sessions' discussions on autonomous driving not only focused on technological development and large-scale application but also emphasized the improvement of laws and regulations and a proactive response to employment structure transformation. Accelerating the introduction of relevant autonomous driving laws and regulations and clarifying the legal on-road status of autonomous vehicles are key to promoting healthy industry development, ensuring public safety, and creating more high-quality employment opportunities. This is not only crucial for the future of China's automotive industry but also for China's competitiveness in the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Promoting technological progress while simultaneously improving laws and regulations and focusing on social employment will be crucial for ensuring the sustainable development of the autonomous driving industry. The proposals and motions of the Two Sessions' representatives and committee members have pointed the way for the healthy development of China's autonomous driving industry and provided important policy references for building a safer, more efficient, and intelligent transportation system. Through legislative regulation and industrial guidance, China is expected to make greater breakthroughs in the field of autonomous driving and occupy a leading position in global competition. Simultaneously, actively addressing employment structure transformation and creating more high-quality employment opportunities are also important measures to ensure social harmony and stability. In the future, as technology matures and laws and regulations are further refined, autonomous driving will be applied in more areas, profoundly changing people's travel and lifestyles.

During the Two Sessions, delegates and committee members offered many constructive opinions on the development of autonomous driving technology and the improvement of related laws and regulations, providing important policy guidance for the healthy development of China's autonomous driving industry. These opinions not only focus on the technology itself but also cover various aspects such as safety assurance, legal regulations, and employment transformation, reflecting the government's emphasis on the development of the autonomous driving industry and its full consideration of its social impact. It is believed that through the joint efforts of all parties, China's autonomous driving industry will usher in a brighter future. At the same time, the government also needs to actively guide the public, enhance public understanding and trust in autonomous driving technology, and create a good social environment for the promotion and application of autonomous driving technology. Only through the coordinated development of technology, law, and social environment can the safe, healthy, and sustainable development of the autonomous driving industry be ensured. This is not only of great significance to China's economic development but also has reference value for the development of the global autonomous driving industry. The proposals and suggestions of the Two Sessions' delegates and committee members provide valuable experience and direction for promoting the development of autonomous driving technology and deserve in-depth study and discussion. In the future, we look forward to seeing autonomous driving technology applied in more fields to bring people a more convenient, safe, and comfortable travel experience.

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