A Slice of the Autonomous Pie: Universal Basic Income, Fractional Equity, and the Future of Work

Picture this: the hum of the global economy no longer depends on the nine-to-five grind, the late-night shifts, or the physical toil of human beings. Instead, it’s an orchestra of autonomous money-making machines, churning out wealth while people sip coffee, create art, or wrestle with the existential question of which Netflix series to binge next. In this brave new world, each of us owns fractional slices of these machines, little gears in the vast economic engine, and—brace yourself—everyone gets a paycheck just for existing.

Welcome to a future where Universal Basic Income (UBI) and fractionalized equity intersect with artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial general intelligence (AGI), creating a utopian blend of capitalism and collectivism. A future where work is optional, but thriving is universal.

The End of Work as We Know It

AI isn’t just nibbling around the edges of human labor—it’s gearing up to feast. A study by Frey and Osborne estimates that about 47% of U.S. jobs are at risk of automation, showcasing the sweeping impact AI could have on employment. Jobs we once thought untouchable—doctors, lawyers, artists—are increasingly on the menu. For instance, AI platforms like DALL-E can generate images from textual descriptions, mimicking various artistic styles and demonstrating how automation is reshaping creative industries.

This technological evolution is not just about replacing tasks but about redefining the role of human creativity and labor in the economy. AGI, when it arrives, won’t just replace tasks; it’ll upend the entire concept of labor. The potential for AGI to fundamentally restructure the economy underscores the urgency of preparing for a future where traditional employment models no longer apply. And let’s face it: if machines can do everything better, faster, and cheaper than we can, why should we cling to this antiquated notion that our worth is tied to what we produce?

But therein lies the rub: if work goes the way of the dodo, so does the paycheck. And without paychecks, our current economic system crumbles. Enter UBI, stage left.

UBI isn’t just a safety net to catch those displaced by automation; it’s the foundation for a new kind of society. As machines take over labor, humans are freed to pursue what truly matters: creative endeavors, personal growth, community building, and solving the complex problems that require human insight and empathy. However, these freedoms require financial security, and that’s where UBI shines—as both a practical solution and a moral imperative.

UBI: A Safety Net or a Springboard?

UBI—the radical idea that everyone gets a monthly stipend, no strings attached—has long been dismissed as a pipe dream for starry-eyed idealists. Critics say it’s too expensive, it’ll make people lazy, it’s socialism wrapped in a buzzword. To which I say: Fine, but what’s your plan when robots take all the jobs?

UBI isn’t just a safety net to catch those displaced by automation; it’s a springboard to something better. It’s the foundation for a society where people aren’t shackled to soul-sucking jobs just to pay rent. It’s the catalyst for unleashing creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation on a scale we’ve never seen. Imagine what humanity could accomplish if no one had to worry about how to put food on the table.

In many ways, UBI could be seen as the natural evolution of Social Security. Just as Social Security was designed to provide financial stability in old age, UBI extends that promise of security across a lifetime, adapting to a world where traditional jobs are no longer the backbone of the economy. This evolution would require a significant overhaul of the tax code, shifting from taxing income—a concept tied to work—to taxing capital and the profits generated by autonomous systems. Such a shift would not only fund UBI but also ensure that the immense wealth created by machines is distributed equitably to all members of society.

Fractionalized Equity: Owning the Machines of Wealth

But UBI alone isn’t enough. If the wealth generated by AI and AGI remains concentrated in the hands of a few corporations, we’ve just built a gilded cage. That’s where fractionalized equity comes in.

Imagine owning a tiny piece of every autonomous system out there—from self-driving trucks to automated trading algorithms to AI-powered content creators. Through blockchain technology or other means of transparent asset distribution, every person could hold micro-shares in the systems that drive the economy. The machines don’t just work for the mega-rich; they work for all of us.

This isn’t some Marxist fever dream. It’s capitalism evolved—a system where wealth generation isn’t about hoarding but sharing. Fractionalized equity ensures that as the machines churn out profits, those profits flow not just to shareholders but to everyone. Suddenly, economic inequality starts to shrink instead of ballooning out of control. It’s a model where success is communal, and prosperity is no longer a zero-sum game.

Building the Future We Deserve

Is this a utopian vision? Absolutely. But utopias don’t happen by accident. They require intention, effort, and—let’s be honest—a bit of luck. And they’re worth striving for. Because the alternative? A dystopia where a handful of oligarchs own everything while the rest of us scrape by on crumbs. That’s not a future I’m interested in.

To get this right, we need bold experiments. Pilot UBI programs have already shown promise, from Stockton, California, to Finland. These initiatives offer critical insights into how such systems could function at scale. We need more of these, scaled up and refined, to address the diverse needs of global populations. Simultaneously, rethinking corporate structures to embed fractionalized equity into the DNA of AI-driven enterprises is crucial. The goal must be to create economic systems that prioritize human flourishing over GDP growth and shareholder profits.

We also need to engage policymakers in reimagining tax structures. A tax code that evolves to capture the value generated by non-human labor—robots, algorithms, and AI—is not just practical; it’s inevitable. By taxing capital gains, machine profits, and digital transactions, we can create a sustainable revenue stream to fund UBI and ensure equitable wealth distribution.

A Call to Action

This is the world I want to build—a world where machines do the heavy lifting, and humans reap the rewards. Where wealth isn’t just concentrated at the top but flows freely to all. Where UBI and fractionalized equity aren’t just policies but pillars of a new social contract.

Yes, it’s a utopia. But isn’t it worth trying? After all, we’re here to explore and create, and we might as well make sure everyone gets a piece of the pie while we’re at it. If we take bold steps today, we can ensure that the future isn’t just automated—it’s equitable, inclusive, and genuinely human.

-sedale

Go Down The Rabbit Hole