China reshapes universities for AI and a tough job market

China's government has launched a major 10-year plan to overhaul its higher education system, targeting a severe job market crisis affecting nearly 13 million college graduates. The initiative aims to address the confluence of rapid AI-driven disruption, a slowing economy, and a persistent mismatch between the skills graduates possess and the skills employers need.

The reforms will reorganize universities into distinct categories focused on either research, practical application, or skills development, disbanding dozens of graduate programs in the process. For students and engineers in China, this signals a future where academic pathways are more directly tied to market demands, particularly in AI and technology. The move highlights how governments are scrambling to recalibrate education systems in the face of technological upheaval and economic uncertainty.