Artificial intelligence is advancing by leaps and bounds, and the future of work is becoming increasingly uncertain. Many see in the universal basic income a possible solution, but Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, thinks that's not enough. According to him, we need to think big and redesign the entire economy.
Let's understand what this means for the average worker and what this radically different future might look like.
AI and the concentration of economic power
The advent of artificial intelligence, we often tell ourselves, is leading to rapid transformation of the working landscape. Machines are becoming more and more capable of supported by "colleagues" workers, or to carry out tasks once reserved for human beings. And there is growing concern that power and wealth can be concentrated in the hands of a few.
This prospect has prompted many in the tech industry to propose universal basic income as a possible solution.
Universal basic income: an insufficient solution?
Universal basic income, a recurring payment to all adults regardless of their wealth or employment status, has long been seen as a potential safety net for those whose jobs are threatened by AI. Amodei believes that even this approach, while “better than nothing,” is insufficient to address the challenges that lie ahead.
“I would much prefer a world where everyone can contribute,” says the “father” of Claude AI, who recently seems to have overcome the most advanced model of OpenAI, GPT-4o. “It would be some kind of dystopia if there were these few people who can make trillions of dollars, and then the government distributed it all to the masses.”
Rethinking the economy and the meaning of work
Amodei believes that AI's impact on society will be so profound that it will require a complete redesign of our economy and the way we think about our lives. It's not just about finding a way to distribute wealth, but about completely rethink the concept of contribution to society.
This vision raises important questions: How can we create an economy where everyone can contribute meaningfully in a world dominated by AI? How will we redefine the future of human work and its value when many traditional tasks are automated?
Beyond income: “universal basic computing”
Amodei is not the only one thinking beyond universal basic income. Sam altman, CEO of OpenAI, proposed the idea of one “universal basic computing”. This concept suggests that, as large language models advance, owning a piece of one of these models could become more valuable than money itself. It would be a bit like owning a piece of the factors of production.
This proposal opens up fascinating scenarios: in the not too distant future, we could see a society in which "computational wealth" becomes more important than traditional financial wealth. A society in which the future of work is simply the absence of work. How would this translate into people's daily lives?
The ethical and social challenges in the future of work
The vision of Amodei and other AI industry leaders raises important ethical and social questions. We should ensure that this transition to an AI-based economy is fair and inclusive. We should preserve the sense of purpose and fulfillment that many find in traditional work.
And then, the question of governance: who will decide how to structure this new economy? How can we ensure that the decisions we make reflect the needs and desires of all of society, not just a technological elite?
Amodei, unlike some know-it-alls, underlines that he does not have all the answers. He believes that the solution must emerge from a “conversation between men”. A global dialogue on the future of work involving not only technology and economic experts, but also philosophers, sociologists, theology, workers and ordinary citizens.
Let's prepare for an uncertain future
Amodei's vision leads us to imagine a future of work that goes beyond simple economic compensation. He invites us to consider how we need to restructure our society to ensure that everyone can contribute meaningfully, even in a world where AI can perform many of the traditionally human tasks.
It is an uncertain future, but it must be lived with passion and commitment as long as we humans have the chance to shape it.
