Michael Tubbs, who grew up in Stockton, California near Silicon Valley, experienced poverty firsthand and wanted to find solutions to help alleviate it. As the first Black mayor of his hometown, Tubbs introduced a guaranteed income pilot program in 2019, giving free money with no strings attached. This concept of guaranteed income is gaining interest as artificial intelligence threatens to disrupt the job market, potentially leaving millions unemployed. Tubbs and other proponents see guaranteed income as a way to provide a safety net in the face of AI-induced job losses.
Stockton’s pilot program provided 125 residents with $500 a month for two years, leading to improved job prospects, financial stability, and better health outcomes. Tubbs believes that implementing such programs now can prepare communities for the challenges posed by advancing AI technology. The idea of guaranteed income has roots in civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.’s advocacy for it in the 1960s. Silicon Valley elites like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have also shown support for guaranteed income, recognizing the potential impact of automation on job security.
Companies like OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, are conducting studies on basic income to further understand its effects. Altman believes that as technology continues to eliminate traditional jobs, a form of guaranteed income may become necessary on a national scale. Elizabeth Rhodes of OpenResearch hopes that ongoing studies can provide valuable data on how unconditional cash payments impact individuals’ work incentives and community well-being. Initiatives like Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, backed by tech industry figures like Jack Dorsey, are also working to implement guaranteed income programs in cities across the US.
Despite growing support for guaranteed income, opponents argue that it could discourage work ethic and hinder innovation. Legal battles, like the one in Texas over Harris County’s program, highlight the political and constitutional challenges that guaranteed income initiatives face. However, recipients like Tomas Vargas Jr. from the Stockton pilot program have experienced positive outcomes, using the extra income to secure better employment opportunities. Vargas believes that guaranteed income can provide a cushion for job re-training and education programs in the face of AI-related job displacement.
Vargas, who experienced poverty and instability throughout his life, found hope and motivation through the guaranteed income program. The financial security allowed him to focus on his family and break the cycle of poverty in his community. His story highlights the potential of guaranteed income to empower individuals and create economic stability in the face of technological advancements. As discussions around AI and automation continue to shape the future of work, the concept of guaranteed income offers a possible solution to support individuals in navigating economic uncertainties.
