Proposal for AI Dividends in the U.S.

Alex Bores, a candidate for the U.S. Congress, has unveiled a proposal for an "AI Dividend" aimed at providing direct financial support to citizens in response to potential job losses due to automation.

"Today, I’m proud to announce the AI Dividend, my plan to prepare for the AI economy with direct payments to Americans funded by tax reform that simultaneously incentivizes hiring humans instead of AI," Bores stated on social media.

His initiative comes in light of expert forecasts suggesting that artificial intelligence could threaten up to 50% of jobs, especially in entry-level roles. The AI Dividend would trigger automatically based on specific economic indicators, including:

• prolonged decreases in employment levels;
• declines in wages in certain sectors;
• rising productivity from AI without corresponding job creation.

Alongside direct payments, the proposal includes funding for retraining initiatives and increased regulation of technological developments. However, details about the payment amounts and frequency remain unspecified.

To finance the program, Bores has suggested several funding sources:

• an AI token usage tax;
• the government's ability to acquire discounted stakes in AI companies;
• various tax reforms.

Bores emphasizes the urgency of implementing these mechanisms before a few companies monopolize profits from automation, arguing that it will be increasingly difficult to reform the system after significant workforce displacements occur. This proposal comes amid recent news of Oracle laying off thousands of employees as it invests heavily in AI infrastructure amidst declining stock prices.