When Robots Make Physical Work A Choice, 'Universal Basic Income' Is Needed

Elon Musk
The Greatest Risk We Face As A Civilization, Is Artificial Intelligence

When looking forward into the future, things won't always go as predicted. But what is certain, people will continue to rely on automations and computers, more than ever before.

One of which, is people relying on robots.

According to Elon Musk, the serial entrepreneur, in the future, robots can be made to do "dangerous, repetitive, and boring tasks" so humans don't have to.

Musk delivered the message during Tesla's AI Day event, where he unveiled the Tesla Bot, a humanoid robot that uses much of the technology found in Tesla's car to perform such tasks as getting groceries or attaching a bolt to a car with a wrench.

However, there can be some drawbacks.

For example, Musk recognized that the creation of robots would one day replace the jobs people are currently doing to get paid for.

Because of this, he suggested the in the future, a universal basic income is needed.

Elon Musk
"Essentially, in the future, physical work will be a choice."

"This is why I think long term there will need to be a universal basic income."

With robots as workers, humans welcome a future that has long been depicted in science-fiction stories.

But with robots, especially when they become more capable and smarter, the computerized automation may translate to more unemployment.

This can happen because companies see robots as better 'employees' than their human counterpart.

Rather than paying human for their labor, companies would simply buy robots, and pay less to accomplish lots more.

Unlike humans who need breaks, robots can do things a lot longer without stopping.

In business perspective, this is an investment.

And this is why in the future, when robots are taking over people's jobs, humans would need guaranteed income.

The path towards this shift has been happening more frequently.

For example, many human jobs inside factories have been replaced by robots. Besides that, people working at healthcare are also seeing a rise in robotics.

Agriculture, food preparation, and even the military are also actively adopting newer technology that involves robots.

Beyond robots, people are also increasing their reliance on mobile and the internet for tasks, like for example, inside restaurants, where patrons can simply scan a QR code to view menus, rather than having a waiter to being them one.

This is more frequently seen during 'COVID-19' coronavirus pandemic, where face-to-face interactions should be more limited.

Many parts in many industries and verticals are modernizing their systems, and Musk realizes this, and even plays a part to make that future happen.

Looking forward, if this trend continues, universal basic income should become a larger part, knowing that robots will affect the economy.

And Musk here, delivered that warning.

Further reading: The Greatest Risk We Face As A Civilization, Is Artificial Intelligence