The White House this week entertained consideration of a “universal basic income” for all Americans, a radical approach to end income inequality and pull people out of poverty by providing a guaranteed paycheck.
During a mundane White House Facebook Live conference to discuss the impact of robots in America, two experts raised the issue as a way to offset the “labor collapse” that robots and automation may cause.
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“I look at this redistribution and I think we need to start thinking about universal basic income, meaning you would have a small amount of money that you would have every month, so that you would be protected against this incredibly work that’s happening, that you’re losing your job,” said former Zipcar CEO Robin Chase.
Martin Ford, author of “Rise of the Robots,” agreed. “It’s probably inevitable.”
White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, hosting the event, noted that Finland is already testing out “guaranteed basic income,” which he hopes to get data on. But for now, he said, the White House is focused instead on tech training and more welfare.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
