Robotics Business Review has partnered with Abishur Prakash at Center for Innovating the Future to provide its readers with cutting-edge insights into recent developments in international robotics, AI, and unmanned systems. Are you ready to be updated?
Basic income on government agendas
Robotics development: The city of Stockton, Calif., is preparing a basic income initiative for 2019 whereby 100 residents would receive $500 a month for 18 months. There are no conditions or requirements. The 100 residents could do whatever they want with the money.
The initiative in Stockton is being supported by leaders in Silicon Valley, including an organization belonging to the co-founder of Facebook. According to Stockton’s mayor, the reason for the basic income scheme is the “looming threat of automation and displacement.”
Geopolitical significance: What Stockton is doing reflects what many other cities and governments around the world are thinking: Automation will take jobs. It isn’t a question of whether this will happen; it is a question of what governments believe.
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