With artificial intelligence (AI) continuing to reshape the labor market, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has proposed a new perspective on the concept of universal basic income (UBI). This innovative approach, known as “universal basic compute,” could redefine economic security in the digital age.
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A Technological New Perspective on Basic Income
Universal Basic Compute: Everyone has a share of GPT
Why does Sam Altman support UBI?
Past UBI experiment results
Universal Basic Compute remains a nascent concept
Traditionally, universal basic income (UBI) has been seen as a solution to counter the threats of automation and AI, providing unconditional cash payments to adults regardless of their economic situation. Sam Altman, a long-time supporter of UBI, believes that integrating technology into this concept could bring even greater benefits.
In a recent episode of the All-In Podcast, Sam Altman introduced the concept of “universal basic compute.” This idea involves allowing individuals to access a portion of the computational power from advanced AI systems like GPT-7. “Everyone could have a small fraction of GPT-7’s computational capability,” explained Sam Altman. He envisioned people being able to directly use, sell, or donate this resource for purposes such as cancer research, potentially creating a form of digital asset that is more valuable than traditional currency. “You have ownership of a portion of productivity,” he pointed out, highlighting the potential of this model to empower individuals economically.
Sam Altman’s support for UBI is not new. As AI threatens jobs, safety nets like UBI may become crucial. In 2016, he launched his own UBI experiment, providing monthly payments ranging from $50 to $1,000 to over 3,000 participants. The results of this experiment are expected to be released soon.
Various cities and states in the United States have tested similar concepts called guaranteed basic income, focusing on individuals based on their needs or social status. While many of these experiments have shown positive results, they have also faced increasing scrutiny and opposition from conservatives who believe such welfare measures may discourage people from working. For example, a program in Texas was recently halted by the state’s Supreme Court, blocking an initiative in the Houston area to provide $500 monthly to low-income residents.
Sam Altman’s concept of “universal basic compute” has piqued the interest and sparked debates across political spectrums, despite its lack of fully developed details. Due to the unclear implementation specifics, curiosity and controversy surround the future economic support system in an increasingly automated world.
AI
Universal Basic Income
Universal Basic Compute
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