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Artificial Intelligence and Labor Income Share: Empirical Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies

In: Proceedings of the 2026 11th International Conference on Social Sciences and Economic Development (ICSSED 2026)

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  • Yuting Zhang

    (Renmin University of China)

Abstract

While the global labor income share has faced a systemic decline, the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) remains a subject of intense debate. This paper utilizes a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2009 to 2022 to empirically examine the relationship between AI application and corporate labor income share. By employing AI-related patent data to measure technological adoption at the micro-enterprise level, the study finds that AI application significantly increases the corporate labor income share. Mechanism analysis reveals that this positive effect is primarily driven by two channels: the mitigation of financing constraints through reduced information asymmetry, and the optimization of human capital structure as firms shift toward high-skilled labor. Further investigation indicates that the promoting effect of AI is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises and firms led by executives with digital backgrounds. These findings suggest that AI acts as a productivity-enhancing force that fosters a “human-machine collaborative” model rather than a simple substitution for labor. The study provides a theoretical basis for policies aimed at accelerating digital transformation while ensuring technological dividends are effectively shared with workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuting Zhang, 2026. "Artificial Intelligence and Labor Income Share: Empirical Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies," Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research, in: Joanna Rak & Md Rabiul Islam & Noralina Omar & Dragana Ostic (ed.), Proceedings of the 2026 11th International Conference on Social Sciences and Economic Development (ICSSED 2026), pages 214-220, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:advbcp:978-94-6239-701-9_23
    DOI: 10.2991/978-94-6239-701-9_23
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