#427 Universal Income in the AI Economy: Perspectives from Barbara Biro and Paul Dowding

In this thought-provoking episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we explore the intersection of AI, blockchain, and economic systems with Barbara Biro, an award-winning expert in digital transformation and finance, and Paul Dowding, a veteran in financial infrastructure and blockchain innovation. Together, we dive deep into the challenges of legacy systems, the rise of decentralized solutions, and the pressing question of whether universal income is inevitable in the AI era.

Key Takeaways

1. The Trust Issue in Finance: Legacy systems are losing trust due to inefficiencies and centralization, opening opportunities for blockchain.

2. Blockchain Beyond Crypto: Cryptocurrencies are just one application of blockchain. The true potential lies in decentralized ledgers for transparent transactions.

3. The Universal Income Debate: Barbara argues it’s a necessity for survival in the AI age, while Paul presents a more optimistic view of new job creation through technological disruption.

4. AI + Blockchain Synergy: Combining these technologies can create transparent, scalable systems for financial services and beyond.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why legacy systems are failing in the age of AI.

• The role of blockchain in building trust and decentralization.

• The case for universal income in an AI-driven economy.

• Misconceptions about blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

• How AI and blockchain together can create a thriving, scalable economy.

About the Guests

Barbara Biro is the CEO of Digit8—a trailblazing company reshaping financial and operational systems for the future. With nearly two decades of experience in the Middle East, Barbara has served as Head of Digital for major financial institutions. She is an economist with a master’s degree in data science and a recipient of the Global Finance Award. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarabiro/

Paul Dowding: Paul has had a prolific career in institutional financial operations, infrastructure, and blockchain innovation. He is dedicated to making the financial industry more efficient and transparent through groundbreaking blockchain solutions. Paul is Board Member at the Government Blockchain Association, blockchain strategist, and creator of the IBM Accelerator award-winning DLT solution Tapestry X.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulfdowding/

Episode Highlights

[00:03:00] Barbara on why centralized systems are losing trust.

[00:12:00] Paul explains the technical challenges and misconceptions of blockchain scalability.

[00:25:00] Discussion on the impact of blockchain on financial systems and KYC processes.

[00:38:00] Barbara’s case for universal income in the AI-driven future.

[00:45:00] Paul shares how blockchain could commoditize transactions, revolutionizing finance.