AI Experts Suggest The Implementation Of Universal Basic Revenue To Face The Threat Of Unemployment Due To AI
Geoffrey Hinton, a world-recognized artificial intelligence (AI) expert who is often referred to as "Father of AI," recently consulted with members of the British government on Downing Street. During the meeting, Hinton suggested that policymakers consider implementing universal fundamental income (UBI) to address the upcoming unemployment threat due to AI and automation.
Hinton, who has recently worked for Google to develop high-level AI features for neural networks, explains that the AI revolution will mostly benefit the rich. Meanwhile, ordinary people, rough workers, and those who work in automateable jobs risk losing their sources of income. "This is going to be bad for society," he said in a recent interview with the BBC.
"I was consulted by the people on Downing Street, and I advise them that universal basic income is a good idea," Hinton said.
Hinton is not the only major figure in the AI sector who believes that UBI is needed to offset the impact of automation on the human economy. Before becoming one of the most famous CEOs in the tech industry, one of the founders of OpenAI, Sam Altman, studied under Hinton's guidance and helped pioneer the neural network. Currently, Altman is known for his leadership at OpenAI and full support for UBI.
Another Altman project, Worldcoin, focuses on providing UBI through the adoption of free cryptocurrency tokens to anyone who registers for the service and submits retinal scans to verify their identities.
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In addition to saving humans from moving jobs through the presence of UBI, both Hinton and Altman expressed their belief that AI could pose an existential threat to mankind.
Hinton reportedly left his position on Google to speak more freely about his concerns about the AI's future impact of the human species. Altman stated that the main reason he founded OpenAI with Elon Musk and others was to ensure that the advanced AI system was developed carefully and for the benefit of mankind.
Hinton also said that we may only have a few years before the threat becomes urgent. "My estimate is that within five to 20 years from now there is a half chance that we should face AI problems trying to take over," Hinton said.