Beijing’s Fortune-Telling Bars Are the New Career Coaches

In the middle of Beijing’s buzzing Chaoyang district, you’ll find a bar unlike any other. It’s called Qie Le — and instead of just serving cocktails, it offers predictions about your future. Want to know if AI is going to steal your job? You can ask over a drink.

At Qie Le, ancient Chinese divination meets the modern anxiety of automation. Young professionals aren’t just going for fun — they’re going for answers.

Why Fortune-Telling Bars Are Booming in Beijing

These spaces, blending mysticism with mixology, are part of a growing “spiritual economy” in China. As AI reshapes industries and competition in the job market intensifies, many are turning to old wisdom for new guidance.

With flickering lanterns and incense-filled air, Qie Le sets the perfect mood. And sitting at its heart is Wan Mo, a traditional fortune teller who uses a centuries-old method called qiuqian — where a numbered stick shaken from a jar tells your fortune.

What the Fortune Stick Says About AI

When asked about artificial intelligence, Wan Mo doesn’t sugarcoat it: “Even if you’re good at your job, AI can do it ten times faster. You need to prepare.”

Her predictions are stark — in three years, she says, AI will disrupt more jobs than most people expect. But instead of despair, she encourages adaptation. It’s not about fighting AI — it’s about finding your place alongside it.

AI and Spirituality: Not as Opposed as You Think

It might seem strange that people are turning to fortune tellers to understand AI’s impact, but this blend of tradition and technology reflects something deeper: the human need for clarity in uncertain times.

Even AI tools are being shaped to meet this need. Apps like DeepSeek now offer digital fortune-telling experiences, using machine learning to simulate personalized readings. It’s a curious feedback loop — using AI to process our anxiety about… AI.

FAQs: What People Want to Know

Q: What is qiuqian exactly?
It’s a traditional Chinese method of divination using sticks marked with numbers. The number you pull corresponds to a written oracle, interpreted by a fortune teller.

Q: Why are people consulting fortune tellers about AI?
Because traditional wisdom offers comfort and reflection, especially in the face of rapid change. People are looking for insight, reassurance, and a sense of control.

Q: Is AI really a threat to jobs in China?
Yes — but it’s also a tool. While AI is automating many roles, it’s also creating new ones and helping people upskill through personalized learning.

Q: What is DeepSeek?
It’s a new AI-powered app offering digital fortune readings — a modern spin on traditional guidance, especially popular with young people in China.

Q: What’s the takeaway?
Whether you believe in fate or future tech, navigating the age of AI requires both emotional and strategic readiness. Sometimes that starts with asking the right question — even if it’s over a cocktail and a fortune stick.

As AI transforms the workforce, China’s rising interest in fortune-telling isn’t just about superstition — it’s a reflection of how people are trying to make sense of their place in the world. In bars like Qie Le, ancient rituals and modern fears blend into something uniquely human.

Sources The Guardian