When it comes to AI, I am reminded of the plethora of “How it’s Made” videos that go something like: Human feeds the raw material into the machine and the machine makes the thing. We’re already at this point in such an expansive way; it’s going to be more like that, not less.
My belief is there is a tipping point on unemployment which is closer than most people think; when government can no longer fund services and 10’s of millions cannot afford goods & services, basic shelter & sustenance …. that’s when this shit gets real. Even more concerning is such a prediction does not require AGI, or the singularity. This can start to happen now.
It strikes me that the predictable nature of humans to screw over fellow humans will make this and other malevolent impacts of AI inevitable.
UBI has a math problem. Show me the math and I will start to believe it’s possible. Since UBI is a form of rationing, UBI also has a problem vs the natural human value for individual liberty. I know we have lots of rationing already, so what’s a little bit more; right? I say a little bit of cyanide won’t kill you…. how much do we want?
There is also a crossover point where corporations cannot sell enough goods and services to be profitable because they drive up unemployment and we cannot afford to spend. Do corporations get UBI too?
Rinse, repeat.
In the end we most probably look like the world of Elysium.