AI 'Godfather' Geoffrey Hinton Suggests Universal Basic Income to Address AI's Impact on Jobs and Inequality, Faisal Islam, BBC News, May 18, 2024
Professor Geoffrey Hinton, widely regarded as the "godfather of artificial intelligence," has advised the UK government that a universal basic income (UBI) will be necessary to deal with the impact of AI on inequality and job losses. Hinton, who pioneered neural networks and recently left Google to speak more freely about the dangers of unregulated AI, believes that while AI will increase productivity and wealth, the benefits will primarily accrue to the rich, leaving those who lose their jobs in a difficult position. He reiterated his concern about the potential for AI to pose an "extinction-level threat" to humans within the next 5 to 20 years, citing the unwillingness of governments to regulate the military use of AI and the risk that tech companies may prioritize rapid product development over safety. Hinton also highlighted the need for international treaties, similar to the Geneva Conventions, to regulate the military use of AI and suggested that the West is in a race with countries like Russia and China to control the technology. Despite Hinton's advice, a UK government spokesman stated that there are currently no plans to introduce a universal basic income.
Before AI Takes Over, Make Plans to Give Everyone Money, Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, May 17, 2023
Artificial intelligence threatens to automate millions of jobs, the United States needs policies to financially support workers who may become redundant. Lowrey notes the widespread fear that AI will eliminate many occupations, with economists at Goldman Sachs estimating two-thirds of American jobs are exposed to AI automation. However, she contends that an "AI jobs revolution" doesn't have to be feared if policies are implemented to ensure everyone benefits from the increased productivity and national wealth generated by AI. Lowrey advocates for a system to provide a universal basic income or other form of wealth redistribution so that the gains from AI-driven automation are shared across society rather than concentrated among a few winners. Her core argument is that this revolutionary technology presents an opportunity to uplift all Americans, but only if the right policies are put in place proactively.
AI is Threatening Americans' Jobs. Could Guaranteed Income Provide a Safety Net?, Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, April 13, 2024
As AI becomes an increasing threat to Americans' livelihoods, the idea of guaranteed income is receiving renewed interest as a potential solution to provide a safety net and cushion the expected blow AI will have on the labor market. Michael Tubbs, the former mayor of Stockton, California, spearheaded a guaranteed income pilot program in 2019 that provided $500 a month to 125 randomly selected low-income residents with no conditions on how the funds were used. The initial results showed improved job prospects, financial stability, and better physical and mental health outcomes for recipients. The concept of guaranteed income has seen support from Silicon Valley's elite, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman, who believe it will become necessary as AI takes over many human jobs. Dozens of cities across the United States have already begun experimenting with guaranteed income programs, mostly funded by nonprofit organizations but organized by local officials. Opponents argue that such programs disincentivize work and that taxing successful tech companies can stifle innovation. However, proponents like Tomas Vargas Jr., a recipient of guaranteed income in the Stockton pilot program, say it provides opportunities for people to find better work and break the cycle of poverty. As more Americans' jobs are at risk due to AI, guaranteed income could be one way to provide a cushion for re-training or education programs.