The article argues that universal basic income should not be dismissed in an AI-driven economy, but that its value depends entirely on how it is designed. As automation erodes entry-level jobs and unemployment among graduates remains high, retraining alone is unlikely to solve labor displacement. In that context, a carefully implemented UBI could provide basic economic security, allowing individuals to weather job loss and pursue education or career transitions without immediate financial strain.

At the same time, the article warns that poorly designed UBI programs could reinforce power imbalances and limit mobility. Income thresholds risk creating “cliff effects” that discourage wage growth, while centralized control over eligibility and messaging may deepen class divisions. The author concludes that any serious UBI proposal must focus on incentives, governance, and framing to ensure it empowers recipients rather than entrenching dependence.

It's 2026, and as new AI tools seem to emerge every week while unemployment ticks up, some may ask: are we headed toward a Universal Basic Income scheme?

As more and more tasks become automated, from data analytics to summarizing reports and beyond, almost every person I've spoken to lives with a lingering fear that AI could replace their job. Without a job, a person must find an alternative way to pay their living expenses.

Enter the idea of Universal Basic Income (UBI). Under a UBI arrangement, each individual receives a minimum fixed payment, supposedly allowing them to live without earning an income from a job.