The concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI) is being reevaluated as a singular solution to economic challenges. While cash assistance is important, it may not suffice on its own to address complex societal issues. The idea of UBI needs to be considered within a broader policy framework to create a more inclusive economy. It is essential to define the goals and metrics of such a policy properly to ensure its effectiveness. One of the key takeaways from the research is that cash is an imprecise tool and may not be the most efficient way to address certain societal challenges. While UBI is not a perfect solution, it plays a significant role in understanding the impacts of providing direct cash assistance to individuals and families, especially in the face of potential job displacement due to AI advancements.
This week, the memes didn’t just fall out of coconut trees — a rundown of the social media reaction to Kamala Harris’s election campaign, and an exploration of what her tech platform might look like. Then we discuss a major new study on universal basic income with Elizabeth Rhodes, research director at OpenResearch, and ask whether it could be a solution to job losses to A.I. And finally, Kate Conger, a New York Times reporter, joins us to break down how the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike crashed the global IT infrastructure.
Guests:
- Elizabeth Rhodes, Research Director at OpenResearch
- Kate Conger, New York Times reporter
Additional Reading:
We want to hear from you. Email us at hardfork@nytimes.com. Find “Hard Fork” on YouTube and TikTok.