The case for a universal basic income in the era of A.I.

The case for a universal basic income in the era of A.I.

https://www.americamagazine.org/short-take/2026/03/23/universal-basic-income-ai/

Publish Date: 2026-03-23 16:49:00

Source Domain: www.americamagazine.org

Here are five key points from the article:

1. Historical Context of Universal Basic Income (UBI):

   • George McGovern proposed delivering a check to citizens as part of a universal basic income (UBI).
   • Milton Friedman also advocated for a negative income tax, emphasizing its non-disincentive to work and administrative efficiency.

2. Technological Job Displacement and Reinstatement:

   • Technological advances have historically caused job displacement (e.g., from horse-drawn carriages to automation), but have also led to job reinstatement in new industries (e.g., cars, computers).
   • However, some new technologies do not generate new jobs, such as automated call centers and self-checkouts.

3. The Role of Globalization and Artificial Intelligence:

   • Globalization has disrupted manufacturing jobs, contributing to current economic populism.
   • The rise of artificial intelligence (A.I.) threatens to displace more jobs, raising questions about whether technological progress will create new jobs that match the displacement.

4. Potential UBI Financing:

   • Proposals for financing UBI include a land value tax by Henry George and a Tobin tax on foreign currency transactions by James Tobin.
   • The urgency of addressing large-scale labor displacement from A.I. necessitates serious consideration of UBI.

5. Ethical and Structural Imperatives:

   • The potential long-term unemployment from A.I. is a major concern that is not being sufficiently addressed.
   • We must evaluate whether current economic structures serve the common good or need a new social contract to prevent technological progress from undermining human dignity.