Universal Basic Income: For When the Robots Take Over...

Robots are coming for our jobs, whether we like it or not.

In 2016, the US Council of Economic Advisers estimated that 83% of US jobs that pay less than $20 per hour could be automated in the future. That’s around 65 million, and that number looks certain to rise. Mass unemployment on this scale is clearly unsustainable, but what can be done?

The answer lies with Universal Basic Income (UBI) – a fixed sum paid to everyone (regardless of other income) to help cover basic costs such as food and housing. Championed by the likes of Elon Musk, Richard Branson and even Pope Francis, such a system could be beneficial to millions, but not everyone is a fan...