The American public is split on the prospect of giving a universal basic income to Americans who lose their jobs to artificial intelligence, according to a new poll.
Gallup-Northeastern University Poll
In a Gallup and Northeastern University poll released recently, 48 percent of those surveyed said they would support a universal basic income (UBI) compared to 52 percent who said they would oppose it.
There was a large difference in responses based on respondents’ political identification. Of respondents who said they are Democrats, 65 percent said they would support UBI, while only 28 percent of Republicans said they would support the measure.
Support for UBI also varied by gender, age, and education level. Under a UBI program, the federal government generally provides every adult with an income below a certain level with a set annual amount.
New technologies
UBI programs are often considered when new technologies are adopted. High-profile entrepreneurs and business leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg and Richard Branson, have discussed this idea publicly, and small-scale pilot programs have been conducted in Canada and Finland.
Support varies
In the U.S., some demographic groups supported the concept more than others. For example, 65 percent of self-described Democrats supported a UBI program, while just over 28 percent of Republicans did.
Overall, about half of U.S. adults in most age groups expressed support for a UBI program, though among older Americans (aged 66 and up), this was substantially lower at 38 percent.