The “Godfather of Artificial Intelligence,” Geoffrey Hinton, believes that the introduction of a universal basic income could solve the problem of a possible shortage of jobs caused by the rapid development of AI. In a recent interview with the BBC, Hinton expressed his deep concerns about the future of employment as AI continues to advance.
“I am very concerned that a lot of simple jobs will be taken over by artificial intelligence,” Hinton said. He revealed that he has been consulted by policymakers from Downing Street and has advised them that universal basic income (UBI) could be a viable solution.
Universal basic income refers to regular, equal payments made to all citizens of a country, regardless of their income, social status, age, or employment status, without any reciprocal obligations on their part. This concept has been experimented with in various U.S. cities and states, though typically for specific categories of people rather than universally.
According to Hinton, artificial intelligence will significantly improve productivity and increase overall revenue. However, without government intervention, these benefits will likely be unevenly distributed, further enriching the wealthy while displacing the poor from their jobs.
Hinton advocates for a more cautious approach to the development of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that AI could become an “extinction threat” to humans within the next five to twenty years. His concerns highlight the urgent need for policies that can mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of AI.
It’s also worth noting that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is running his own experiment on universal basic income. Altman expects to publish the results of this experiment soon. Additionally, Altman recently proposed the idea of “universal core computing,” suggesting that instead of receiving cash, everyone could get access to a future language model like GPT-7.
Hinton’s advocacy for UBI comes in the wake of his departure from Google, where he worked extensively on AI technologies. He cited his growing concern that AI could cause significant harm as the primary reason for his decision to leave the tech giant.
The discourse around UBI and AI underscores the broader societal implications of rapidly evolving technologies. As AI continues to transform industries and job markets, the call for solutions like universal basic income becomes increasingly relevant. Policymakers and tech leaders alike must grapple with these issues to ensure a future where technological advancements benefit all members of society.
For more details on Geoffrey Hinton’s views and the ongoing debate about UBI, you can read the full article on Business Insider.