About this episode
The episode discusses the debate surrounding basic income schemes, particularly in the context of a new government initiative in Ireland.
Ireland has a new permanent government scheme providing regular cash transfers to 2,000 artists. The people who can access it range from circus performers to opera singers. It follows a pilot of more than three years, which is believed to have brought a return on investment to the economy. Big tech backs basic income schemes like this to offset the consequences AI is having on the workforce. Leading economists believe it could create a dystopian world. Nevertheless, more governments are piloting or planning to introduce schemes like this. Contributors: Dr Jenny Dagg, assistant lecturer, Maynooth University, Ireland Dr Catarina Neves, postdoctoral fellow, Utrecht University, The Netherlands Daron Acemoglu, 2024 Nobel Prize winner in economics, institute professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US Dr Jurgen De Wispelaere, acting chair of the Basic Income Earth Network. Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Daniel Rosney Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: A customer withdraws euro bills from an ATM in Sofia. Credit: Bloomberg/Getty Images)
People in this episode
Host: Charmaine Cozier
Guests: Dr Jenny Dagg, Dr Catarina Neves, Daron Acemoglu, Dr Jurgen De Wispelaere
Topics covered
- basic income
- cash transfers
- economics
- AI impact
- government schemes
Keywords
- basic income
- Ireland
- cash transfers
- AI workforce
- economics
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Maynooth University, Utrecht University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Basic Income Earth Network
Places: Ireland, Netherlands
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