The vision of a global basic income powered by artificial intelligence
In a recent statement, former OpenAI researcher Miles Brundage talked about the possibility of implementing a global basic income program of $10,000 per month, powered by the development of AI. Brundage argues that AI has the potential to dramatically increase productivity, making such a program possible and more generously funded than the current $500-$1,500 per month programs. This vision opens up a new debate about the economic and social potential of the post-work economy.
Brundage's educational and professional background
Brundage received his PhD in "Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology" from Arizona State University in 2019, and previously worked at the Oxford Institute for the Future of Humanity before joining OpenAI in 2018. While at OpenAI, he was responsible for AI security initiatives and implementing external test teams, but left the company in October 2024 due to restrictions on freedom of research and publication, expressing concern that the company's focus was shifting towards commercial products at the expense of security.
The economic potential of AI
A study published by researcher Arn Naybi in May 2025 suggests that AI systems achieving five to six times current productivity could fund a global basic income program at 11% of GDP without the need for new taxes or the creation of additional jobs. The study also shows that increasing the share of public revenue from AI-generated capital gains, such as higher taxes on profits, could make it easier to achieve this goal faster and more sustainably.
Political and cultural challenges
Despite the economic potential, Brundage warns that the biggest challenge lies in political and cultural adaptation to the post-work economy. He points out that current policies may lag behind in keeping up with the rapid shifts that AI is creating, which could have negative effects on economic and social stability and increase the need for flexible public policies and international cooperation.
The Future of Global Basic Income
Brundage's vision offers a bold envisioning of an AI-powered economic future, where a global basic income of $10,000 per month becomes possible if the technical conditions and supporting policies are in place. However, this transformation is only realized through significant policy investments, cultural adjustments, and international cooperation to ensure a fair distribution of the benefits of AI, making this vision both a challenge and an opportunity.
A global income of $10,000 per month? AI may soon make it a reality.
