Exploring Shenzhen’s state gig economy: The ‘eyes and ears’ of China’s smart state
China Information: A Journal on Contemporary China Studies
Published online on May 21, 2026
Abstract
China Information, Ahead of Print.
China’s smart governance agenda is often narrated as the seamless quantification and automation of core state functions through AI, sensors, and integrated platforms. Using Shenzhen’s grid governance, we show that frontline operations remain labour-...
China’s smart governance agenda is often narrated as the seamless quantification and automation of core state functions through AI, sensors, and integrated platforms. Using Shenzhen’s grid governance, we show that frontline operations remain labour-...