Staff members train humanoid robots at a data acquisition center in Shanghai on March 20, 2025. TANG YANJUN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE
BEIJING — Behind a popcorn machine at AgiBot's data collection center in Shanghai, a humanoid robot packs freshly popped popcorn into paper cups while Chen Xin, a data collector with a virtual reality headset around his neck and a controller in hand, patiently guides its movements.
Chen works in an emerging occupation: a data collector for humanoid robots. In simple terms, he is a "human teacher" for robots, walking them through real-life scenarios — from wiping tables and sweeping floors to working at supermarket counters and moving goods — until the robots can execute the tasks autonomously.
China's rapid advances in artificial intelligence are giving rise to a wide range of AI-related occupations, creating new opportunities for workers with digital skills and practical know-how, while adding new dynamism to the country's innovation-driven development.
"A stable popcorn-packing move may come only after countless rounds of training," Chen said."Teaching a robot feels like teaching a child. It takes patience. The data eventually stored must be high-quality and useful."
