The Looming Shadow of Automation: Why Poverty Will Become Your Problem Too
For years, the whispers of robots taking over our jobs were just that – whispers. We clung to the belief that certain professions, from doctors to artists, were immune to the cold embrace of automation. But a new reality is dawning, one powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and it’s one where poverty can no longer be ignored.
The truth is, no matter your industry, AI is coming for your job. Lawyers, doctors, artists, builders, drivers, marketers, even policymakers – the automation wave is universal. Andrew Yang warned us in “The War on Normal People,” and recent advancements like OpenAI’s Sora have accelerated the timeline. We’re facing unemployment rates unlike any seen before, estimates ranging from 5% to a disturbing 47%.
Ignoring this reality is a luxury we can no longer afford. Our growth-based economy crumbles under the weight of mass unemployment. We need a safety net, and Universal Basic Income (UBI) stands as a viable solution.
I initially believed the “End Poverty. Make Trillions.” argument for UBI held the key. But here’s the harsh truth: I was wrong. We struggle to empathize with poverty until it knocks on our own door. During my travels researching UBI, I encountered this disconnect firsthand. “It’s the people down the street who are truly poor,” many said, unaware they were standing on the precipice of the same fate.
The automation revolution will change that. The line between employed and unemployed will become a chasm, and millions will find themselves on the wrong side. This isn’t about stopping progress; it’s about adapting. AI is a capitalist dream – efficient, tireless, and cheap. It will be adopted, regardless of our desires.
The minimum safety net? UBI set to the poverty line. Let’s be clear: $15,060 is no substitute for a $400,000 radiologist salary. But it’s a lifeline in a storm.
The ideal number could be higher, but fighting for it seems futile while we cling to the delusion that poverty is someone else’s problem. Let’s change that narrative. Poverty is becoming our collective problem, and UBI is a solution we can no longer ignore.
This is a call to action. Share this post, talk to your friends and family about what automation will mean for you. AI doesn’t need compassion, but we do. Let’s choose empathy over apathy, and build a future where no one is left with nothing.
