A record 12.7 million young people are looking for jobs as the country embraces artificial intelligence — and as the technology begins to upend the work force.

An estimated 12.7 million new graduates are joining China’s work force this year, the largest yet of a cohort that has been steadily growing over the years. They are facing two intractable and connected challenges.

Like previous classes, they are entering an oversaturated job market and competing for a shrinking pool of entry-level positions in a sluggish economy. But they also face a new obstacle in the added uncertainty of A.I., which is beginning to restructure industries and change recruiters’ priorities.

It is a global problem. College graduates around the world are grappling with the prospect that entry-level jobs could simply disappear. But in China, the concern is acute. The country has adopted A.I. at an almost unmatched pace, spurred by government support and broad public enthusiasm, while youth unemployment remains stubbornly high.