Abstract: The deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with manufacturing is the key to promoting the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing and achieving high-quality development. Due to the combined effect of substitution and creation, the direction and extent of AI's impact on manufacturing employment are uncertain. The analysis results of 270 manufacturing companies in Guangdong Province show that the application of AI will have a significant impact on the total employment, structure, demand and employee income of the manufacturing companies, especially the proportion of AI technology application, application time, whether to make AI plans, and application priority motivation and the proportion of productive personnel are the main factors that affect the changes in the number of employees. It is necessary to put forward security suggestions from industrial policies, personnel training and social security.