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We'll need a universal basic income (UBI) in an AI-driven world

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: We'll need a universal basic income (UBI) in an AI-driven world

#21

Post by billy99k »

mockingloris wrote: post #8
billy99k wrote: post #2

Sure. Where does the money come from if nobody is working?

@billy99k Great question; funding UBI is the crux of the debate. In Nigeria, I’ve seen industries like taxi services get upended by apps like Uber and Bolt, leaving union leaders/cabals scrambling for the scraps. AI could amplify this, automating jobs faster than new ones emerge. One idea is taxing automated systems—say, a levy on AI-driven platforms or robots replacing workers. This could redistribute wealth without…

This will work in the short term, but over time, less and less companies will want to fund something that will be taxed at such a high rate.

I also think that if this much tax money is going to enable people to not work, the people paying taxes should have more control over how the money is used.

If health care is universal, more control over foods consumed risky health-related activities.

Re: We'll need a universal basic income (UBI) in an AI-driven world

#22

Post by bicepjai »

billy99k wrote: post #2

Sure. Where does the money come from if nobody is working?

How about we tag-team the dull tasks and the thrilling ones? We’ll scrub those tubes and dive into an exciting starship project. Welcome to our socialistic tech society!

Re: We'll need a universal basic income (UBI) in an AI-driven world

#23

Post by billy99k »

t-3 wrote: post #7
billy99k wrote: post #2

Sure. Where does the money come from if nobody is working?

With AI/robots doing all the work, money can be created and distributed based on production and logistical efficiency.

I would much rather have Capitalism and own my own work bots, thanks.

Re: We'll need a universal basic income (UBI) in an AI-driven world

#24

Post by billy99k »

mockingloris wrote: post #11
unnamed76ri wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I seem to remember a Star Trek episode (not sure which series) where a character is talking about how they’ve evolved past the need for money. Badly paraphrased, and maybe just as badly remembered, but my thought at the time was that if no one is getting paid, how do get low level crew members to sign on? I’d much rather be an officer than scrubbing torpedo tubes.

@unnamed76ri Haha, I love the Star Trek nod! Their post-money world sounds great, but where I'm from, hustle economy/treet vendors, okada riders, shows how hard it is to imagine no one needing cash. Even if AI automates a ton, people will still want incentives for less glamorous jobs. Maybe UBI isn’t about scrapping money but ensuring a baseline so folks aren’t stuck scrubbing metaphorical torpedo tubes. What’s your…

When generations of people are on UBI,and this is all they know, the system starts to require more capital and tax revenue, until it collapses.

I think one other aspect of this system is that if you are getting UBI, you give up your voting rights.

Re: We'll need a universal basic income (UBI) in an AI-driven world

#27

Post by mockingloris »

markus_zhang wrote: post #18

It’s a start but not good enough. We also need a sense of accomplishment, like what do we live for. I know it’s mostly a luxury these days but in an AI powered world, it might be essential to keep people going.

These are very hard questions. Gives me the chills.

We forget how the scurry of the now keeps us in a frenzy and before you know, 2 decades have gone past and we're all playing catch up to the new world order - what world order? (I don't know and that scare me; [deep sigh])

│

└── Dey well; Be well

Re: We'll need a universal basic income (UBI) in an AI-driven world

#28

Post by mockingloris »

Python3267 wrote: post #20

We should have a wealth tax that is distributed to everyone, instead of taxing consumption. It's the most progressive tax possible, only taxing those with actual excess. It would work in an AI world, easing into everyone having the same amount of power instead of creating AI powered Oligarchs.

That's something I am just learning about. Interesting concept though. Would need some finessing and that goes for any sort of general consensus that is reached.

│

└── Dey well; Be well

Re: We'll need a universal basic income (UBI) in an AI-driven world

#29

Post by scott88lee »

Pre AI, we are already in a hyper-capitalistic world. In an AI driven world coupled with robotics and possibly clean renewable energy, capitalism(Value and Value creation) is going to be broken. I envision that there will be violence when one system is overtaken by another. Hopefully, a post economic society. UBI assumes that money$ and its value, would be that unit to be exchanged in the future. No, its not going to be bitcoin either. Of course I wouldn't know what it is, but I'm looking forward to the future +
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