Polity Atlas
Research theme ·

AI & post-labour economy

How automation may change the role of work in income, status and public finance — and which institutions are proposed in response.

Open questions

Each question gathers claims, sources and counter-claims.
  1. 01

    What happens to the economy when labour stops being its main factor?

    AI dividends, public capital funds, basic income, new forms of property and new institutions of redistribution.

    Hypothesis
  2. 02

    What does the evidence from cash transfers actually show?

    Pilots report wellbeing gains and small employment effects; none has been universal and permanent at national scale.

    Hypothesis

Mechanisms in scope

Redistribution and accountability designs that become relevant if labour stops being the economy's main factor.

Compare them in the Explorer →
MechanismSovereign wealth fund dividendPaying part of the returns of a publicly owned investment fund directly to residents as a dividend.MechanismUniversal basic incomeA periodic cash payment to every individual, without means test or work requirement.