Watch out folks! Humanity is at a crossroads...
AI has the power to free us or enslave us. As machines replace us, our traditional labour systems face a challenge that demands rethinking. This oncoming revolution could either liberate us from drudgery or deepen inequality.
AI has the potential to liberate humanity. But if we cling to outdated economic structures that tie survival to employment, it could instead push us further towards our current trajectory of a dystopian, two-tiered society of haves and have-nots. We may even evolve into two entirely separate species.
(Oh wait... we already ARE two species... ever heard of the Royal Family? 😉 )
The idea that humans are naturally lazy, needing tyrannical authority to motivate them, is a myth. From childhood, we are drawn to activity and contributing to a group. When kids play, they imagine themselves as firemen, shopkeepers, mechanics, etc.—roles that reflect meaningful engagement. It’s only when forced into monotonous, uncreative, and soul-crushing work under tyrannical work conditions that our sense of purpose is lost. This disconnection breeds apathy, not laziness. When we see ourselves as mere cogs in a futile machine, hope fades.
Who dreams of a life spent feeding the corporate machine?
A Universal Basic Income (UBI) offers a window of opportunity to unlock a better future. By guaranteeing a financial baseline for everyone, UBI ensures no one falls behind as AI reshapes the economy. More than a safety net, it establishes a foundation for individuals to explore their potential without constantly struggling to “make ends meet.” With basic needs met, people innovate, learn, and contribute in ways that align with their passions.
UBI is the future, unless we’d rather keep working to make rich people even richer—because that’s obviously the more fulfilling life choice. 🙂
The myth that UBI promotes laziness distorts the truth of human nature. Humans instinctively create and contribute when given freedom and opportunity. What stifles this drive isn’t a lack of motivation—it’s a lack of respect, autonomy, and meaningful work.
But UBI alone isn't enough. To truly unlock the potential of AI and humanity, we must also democratize data. The current concentration of unprecedented data in the hands of a few Silicon Valley giants allows them to wield unparalleled knowledge about human behavior, giving them immense power to manipulate us.
This data, which holds the key to understanding everything from our psychological and social patterns to our medical needs, should not be hoarded by a select few. Instead, it must be anonymized and made accessible to everyone.
Imagine a world where this goldmine of insight is available to all, stored on an anonymised global blockchain. Knowledge would be shared freely and securely. From social dynamics to healthcare breakthroughs, this wealth of information can fuel innovation, collaboration, and progress across all sectors of society. People can harness this data to improve all of our lives and solve collective challenges - instead of manipulating us to buy more caramel lattes.
Today we face a choice. We can harness this technology to free people from drudgery and create paths to meaningful engagement, or we can continue along our current trajectory of a two-tiered society of commanders and slaves. By pairing UBI with the democratization of data, we can create a world where everyone has the tools for self-actualisation.
Remember Abraham Maslow?
Imagine a world where every human is the king of their own castle, the captain of their own ship, the architect of their own destiny.
UBI invests in human creativity and resilience. By removing the fear of poverty, we unlock waves of innovation and productivity that benefit everyone. Artists, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and inventors thrive when freed from financial insecurity. UBI provides a launchpad for people to pursue their dreams, strengthen their communities, care for others and tackle complex challenges.
By trusting humanity’s innate drive to create and contribute, we can choose Utopia over Dystopia.