Questions That Matter: What If Work Were Optional?

A Discussion on Universal Basic Income

They say AI is on track to automate another 20% of jobs soon. What happens when there simply isn’t enough work to go around–or enough income, without work, for people to survive? Could corporations eventually advocate for Universal Basic Income, just so they can continue to make a profit?

This Questions That Matter session will explore what work, worth, and community might look like in a potential world where survival isn’t tied to a paycheck.

There are so many angles worth questioning. Here are just a few questions that we may pursue together:

1. Would you still want to work if you didn’t have to?
2. With a potential collapse of available jobs in the near future, are there any realistic alternatives to Universal Basic Income?
3. What would be our worries around implementing Universal Basic Income (UBI)?
4. Would UBI accelerate or slow efforts to rethink culture, meaning, and the economy?
5. In a just society, how do we decide who “deserves” support? What do we owe each other?

Quotes and questions such as these, may also spur our thoughts and the conversation as they take on a greater immediacy with where Ai potentially is now taking us.

• “The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; in the twilight of life, the aged; and in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.” - Hubert Humphrey
• “The only way to abolish poverty is to make sure that everyone has enough to live.” - Rutger Bregman, Utopia for Realists

As usual, the goal of the night isn’t simply to agree, disagree, or learn. It’s also to connect through genuine, lively, interactive discussion and, potentially, to go to some of the unexpected and uncharted places that deep and free conversation can take us.

When we wrap up, around 8 p.m., we hope you’ll mingle, exchange numbers, and head out with some of us for something to eat or drink. As polarized as the world is right now, one of the deepest connections still available to human beings is a shared meal or drink.

Whether you’re in Chiang Mai for a short visit or you’re a longer term expat or resident, we hope you can join us, not only in exploring the deeper questions but in making new connections and friendships through the discussions.

If possible, please support the venue, 4seas, by purchasing a beverage or a snack. They are kindly providing the space to us at no charge.

We all look forward to meeting you!