Posted on .
Categories: Future
As we are approaching the era of artificial general intelligence (aka AGI) it would be productive to imagine a world where human labor, as we know it, is not needed anymore as everything is done by robots. This scenario is not science fiction. Recent advances in generative AI (GenAI) allow us to make an educated guess that such setting might become reality within 15 years.
We should expect a very painful transition period with few winners and many losers. Unfortunately, such a situation will likely result in violence. At some point, the mess will settle and hopefully humanity will find a receipt for a new economy. Economy, in which humans are not required for any type of work, creativity or inventions. Ideally, all the humans will live as western world retirees.
As human society requires a certain amount of fair inequality to make life interesting, I envision that such society will be built around three types of voting: consumption, investment, and political vote.
An unavoidable part of such society is Universal Basic Income (UBI). Monthly payment for everyone is the basic pillar of the voting society. The concept of UBI isn’t new. As far as in ancient Rome the idea of giving the basics for free was widespread and part of normal life. The so-called grain dole and corn dole were free allowances of the basic staples for these in need.
The first pillar of voting society is consumer choice. People will vote for the products they like by spending part of their UBI in consumption. This way, they will choose the best products AI create and produce. Such consumption will refine AI skills. Billions of people will fill their needs by buying products – some will choose eco products, some will try new flavors, some will prefer packaging over content. All this information will be crucial for AI that will design the consumer products to improve and adapt to the requirements of the people. Changing generations and preferences will rapidly feed design and production elements of AI and reduce waste with better consumer alignment.
The second pillar of voting society is investment. AI may generate infinite brilliant ideas. But there will still be constraints in terms of energy, resources, and time. Therefore, people will have to choose wisely what entrepreneur endeavor to pick. People will use disposable part of their monthly UBI to invest in such endeavors. This will be one of the few ways to gain additional money through dividends or stock growth. Other ways will be artisan work, speculation on antiquities, real estate and general buying and selling of rare items.
The third pillar of voting society is political vote: both long- and short-term political decisions that will govern both society and AI at all levels.
These three types of voting will introduce healthy inequality into society and will make life interesting and worth living. Necessary safeguards will be required to ensure that such inequality is within certain limits and does not create a layered society. Additionally, as humans will have infinite free time, a universal pillar of spiritual and physical personal development is essential to avoid decadence, excess, and depravity. But this is a whole new and different topic, worth exploring in next blog posts.