Universal basic income (UBI) is an economic policy under which all members of a population receive a regular, unconditional cash payment from the state or another institution, independent of employment status or means. It is debated as a mechanism to reduce poverty, buffer labour displacement from automation and AI, and address structural inequality. Proponents view it as a redistributive instrument while critics question its fiscal sustainability and incentive effects.
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- UBI schemes vary in scale from limited pilots to nationwide proposals. Key design questions concern payment level, funding source, and interaction with existing welfare. The policy is frequently linked to discussions of technological unemployment driven by AI and robotics.