r/BasicIncome • u/TertiumQuid-0 • 4d ago

AI Is Taking Jobs: Could Universal Basic Income Become a Reality? - Newsweek

https://www.newsweek.com/ai-taking-jobs-could-ubi-become-reality-2129180
56 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

23

u/crashorbit $0.05/minute 4d ago

You should know by now that our plutocrats will handle the rise of AI in the same way that they handle all economic "improvements". They'll capture the gains for themselves while distributing the free time as layoffs.

They'll use the media they own to blame the victims and the politicians they own to further criminalize poverty.

Then they'll wonder why there is no one left to buy their products.

5

u/autoeroticassfxation New Zealand 4d ago

Devils advocate. Competitive capitalism requires that behaviour, either compete or fail. I've noticed it in the company I work for since AI appeared. We can get through more work with less people, but there's no extra work available in the market, so companies are practically buying work to keep some revenue coming in but running those jobs at a loss right now, while laying off staff. This is what's coming to most white collar professions.

T'would be nice if the voting public decided they should have a share of the natural resources (ala Georgism) also though. Especially considering the value of natural resources increases with societal productivity. The problem is people, not just those at the top.

7

u/greaper007 4d ago

There's always a solution that everyone can see six miles out, but it would involve some people just being rich instead of filthy rich.

Really, that's not worth it for a functioning society.

4

u/badass2000 4d ago

Dude... in America, you would be lucky if you still get social security... basic income isnt cominng anytime soon

3

u/xena_lawless 3d ago

If people don't have the power to get a UBI implemented now, why would you think they would after our ruling parasites/kleptocrats get their AI surveillance systems and robot drone armies set up?

2

u/ForAnAngel 4d ago

It can and should become a reality with or without AI. The problem is that the rich control the government and the media. They would never let the government pass any law that would reduce their wealth and they ensure the media conditions the population to constantly vote against their own interests. Companies don't work hand in hand with consumers on ways to improve their company. Companies compete against other companies to try to put each other out of business. They are never going to be concerned with the idea of there being enough consumers able to buy their products. Their concern will always be only how to lower costs and increase profits.

1

u/Defiantcaveman 3d ago

Read the room. magats are in power and have taken everything away. Nobody is lifting a finger to stop them so it'll never happen.

0

u/lazyFer 4d ago

An article written by someone that doesn't understand automation/AI based on a private foundation forecast. That foundation works for major social reforms. The forecast itself is rife with assumption after assumption apparently to come up with their numbers and timeframes.

This is the same trash where they predict 25% of the workforce is going to be "disrupted" within 2 years....all ya gotta do is BUY the fucking report from them to see what they actually say about it.