UBI is too small an idea to take up so much space. In this Substack, I argue for a grand strategy for the middle class in the AI age that defines a bold national interest, lays out big quality of life issues to solve, and matches means to the ends.
https://t.co/PMn9I8eAa4
Thank you @MedlirM for having me on the Age of AI podcast to discuss last week’s busy week in AI policy and the essential role of states in ensuring AI aligns with the best interests of society. https://t.co/Df1RCpg1X0
UBI is too small an idea to take up so much space. In this Substack, I argue for a grand strategy for the middle class in the AI age that defines a bold national interest, lays out big quality of life issues to solve, and matches means to the ends.
https://t.co/PMn9I8eAa4
“the respective roles of government and individuals in sustaining middle-class essentials such as health care, working-age income and support, and retirement security, each adjusted for expected changes in the demand for human labor, and in the wages that work will command.”
“ the kind of tax culture the nation aspires to;
the desired blend of enterprise, competition, labor rights, and assured affordability;
a foreign policy that connects national interests and power with the promotion of a healthy global middle class; and
“For example, before anchoring to ideas such as universal basic income, a windfall trust to ensure extraordinary AI-generated gains are shared broadly, or a similar clause in AI contracts, a grand strategy would first align on foundational political questions such as:”
“Finally, the third step involves matching the nation’s means to the ends it seeks…. It is not about specifying programs, but about ensuring the nation’s power, resources, and investments reinforce its larger strategic purpose.”
“But its continued existence is not guaranteed, and may in fact be imperiled by AI. Our central purpose must be to build a society with the shared values and political will to bend … AI toward sustaining and expanding middle-class security, stability, and opportunity.”
“Here is an initial take to build on: A stable and thriving middle class is essential to the well-being of communities, the nation, and the international order. It is also the cornerstone of human flourishing.”
“Second, define the national interest. The heavy lifting of translating the challenge into an actionable strategic framework begins here. The essential question to answer is simple but demanding: What are we solving for?”
“First, frame the challenge. … What’s missing is a sharp problem statement: the existence of a secure, thriving, and growing middle class in the age of AI is not a given.”
“Grand strategy links vision, values, and policy priorities in moments of great change, challenge, and opportunity. That same logic is now needed for the AI age. …Creating a grand strategy for the middle class in the AI age is a three-step process.”
“Given the potential magnitude of AI decoupling work from income, UBI risks being pin money disguised as a bailout. …Instead of accepting defeat, we should define and work towards an AI age where people not only survive but can also strive and thrive.”
Far from seeing safety as an impediment to realizing its AI ambitions, the United States should make AI safety, broadly defined as AI advancing human objectives and not putting human life, health, property, or the environment in danger, a cornerstone of its competitive advantage.
Want to study the economic impact of AI and influence the policy choices a frontier lab makes? I'm building a team to advance @AnthropicAI 's Economic Index & other ~special projects. Lots of fun!
Economist: https://t.co/UumXdDV4KJ
Data Scientist: https://t.co/0Jo7b29k4O
An X-37B onboard camera, used to ensure the health and safety of the vehicle, captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in HEO in 2024.The X-37B executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel.