Giving Workers a Stake in A.I. Gains Traction

Giving Workers a Stake in A.I. Gains Traction

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/business/dealbook/newsom-universal-basic-capital-ai.html

Publish Date: 2026-05-22 08:00:00

Source Domain: www.nytimes.com

Here are six key points from the article:

• President Trump’s Executive Order: President Trump has withdrawn his executive order to oversee new artificial intelligence models, amid opposition from several tech leaders who argue that it could slow innovation in the field. Key figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and David Sacks have spoken out against the plan.

• Concerns over A.I. and Labor: There is growing anxiety over the impact artificial intelligence will have on the labor market, highlighted by a focus on potential solutions like Universal Basic Capital (U.B.C.). California Governor Gavin Newsom has directed officials to study U.B.C., an approach that blends aspects of Universal Basic Income (U.B.I.) with the idea of giving workers more compensation for the disruptions caused by A.I.

• Oil Prices and U.S.-Iran Tensions: Oil prices have surged as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to escalate, driven by disagreements over Tehran’s uranium stockpile and Iran’s consideration of imposing tolls on the Strait of Hormuz.

• SpaceX IPO: The impending IPO by Elon Musk’s SpaceX is expected to benefit numerous entities, including Musk himself, who holds a significant majority stake in the company, and Goldman Sachs, which has secured the lucrative role of lead underwriter.

• Quantum Computing Support: The Trump administration has shown continued support for the quantum computing sector, with the Commerce Department providing $2 billion in funding and taking equity stakes in multiple companies to bolster critical industries.

• Travel and A.I.: The travel industry is facing uncertainty due to Middle East tensions spiking oil prices and disrupting transportation. Meanwhile, data from Mastercard suggests that AI-driven travel recommendations are leading customers to budget more for travel and explore less common destinations.