As the future draws nearer, experts are weighing in on the impact Artificial Intelligence will have on the workforce. What jobs will automation make redundant? Will it eliminate more positions than it generates? And is the answer to the problem a government-subsidized salary? Lavin Speaker Martin Ford makes the case for a Universal Basic Income in conversation with Kai-Fu Lee. 

Taiwanese venture capitalist Kai-Fu Lee and futurist and author Martin Ford are on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to how the world—specifically the labour market—will adapt to the rapid pace of technological innovation. Instead of a universal basic income (UBI), Kai-Fu Lee suggests that we must work together to create new professions, values, and social norms, citing government-administered care for the elderly as an example. 

For Martin Ford, while there is a chance that machine-made products and services will lead to a greater desire for distinctly human things—such as companionship and artistic pursuits—he remains unconvinced. “I’ve always been a bit skeptical of that because [while] I think there’s an element of truth to it, there’s lots of evidence to suggest the market just doesn’t value those things very highly,” he explains.  According to Ford, the market’s indifference to human-produced goods and services is one of the very best foundational arguments for a Universal Basic Income moving forward.

Ford is the bestselling author of Architects of Intelligence: The Truth about AI from the People Building It. By conducting a series of one-on-one interviews with some of the brightest minds in the Artificial Intelligence community, Ford seeks to answer our most burning questions around the science, business, and ethics of AI.

To book Martin Ford for your next speaking event, contact The Lavin Agency today.