“30% of staff affected” – M’sian Chinese Media Group May Replace Manpower With AI

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) being talked about as replacing human jobs in the future, are we headed toward the days when AI takes over our work?

Media Chinese International Ltd, a Malaysian Leading Chinese media group, is mulling the implementation of AI to cut costs by reducing its workforce to about 1,000 over a medium-term of up to five years only after the merger of Sinchew and Nanyang, reported New Straits Times.

The media company plans to reduce its workforce by as much as 44 % to about 1,000 from 1,800.

“With internal structural and reorganisation, the merger or consolidation of Sinchew and Nanyang group, closure of Johor and Penang plants, and the application of AI across all units of operations, we can reduce our staff to 1,000 in 2 to 5 years,” group chief executive officer Francis Tiong said.

In an interview with Business Times, Francis said the plan will not be executed as soon as it is still in the preliminary stage.

The Chinese-language media company publishes China Press, Sin Chew Daily, and Nanyang Siang Pau.

Due to increasing operational expenditures, the Main Market-listed firm suffered a net loss of RM61 million in the financial year 2024 (FY24) as opposed to a net loss of RM1.16 million the previous year.

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What can AI do when it takes over?

Assuming AI replaces part of the manpower in the company, the “work speed” will, no doubt, be increased.

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If that happens, the company foresees at least a 30% decrease in manpower within 2 years following the “takeover” of AI.

Do you think it’s a good idea to replace human jobs with AI where it’s appropriate?

Also read: “Working is a hobby & optional” – Elon Musk Says AI Will Take Over ALL Human Jobs in the Future