JD.com founder Richard Liu announced robots will eventually replace the company's 700,000 delivery workers.
Liu told the APEC CEO forum that advancing technology makes the courier role obsolete.
JD.com launched the Nirvana Plan to retrain frontline employees for new roles.
The company partnered with over 120 schools to teach skills like robot maintenance and repair.
Liu stated that technology should improve human life and prevent job losses.
The initiative addresses Chinese policymakers' concerns regarding automation and gig economy stability.