Does artificial intelligence promote the return of rural migrant labour? Evidence from China

Based on data from 285 cities in China, this study examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the return of rural migrant labour and its mechanisms. The research indicates that AI promotes the return of rural migrant labour. Specifically, AI suppresses the return of rural migrant labour through the employment creation effect while promoting it through the employment substitution effect. Additionally, AI promotes labour return by reducing employment of medium-skilled workers, while increasing employment of high-skilled and low-skilled workers to suppress the return phenomenon.