Blog•May 1, 2026
Don't Wait for the AI Shock
The author argues that AI will initially trigger significant labor market disruption before potentially becoming a net job creator. He dismisses universal basic income as an expensive, unproductive safety net, proposing instead that governments treat AI‑related risk as an insurance policy by funding public‑works, health, education, and cultural projects. Such investments would address both AI‑driven displacement and other systemic shocks like biosecurity or cyber threats. By focusing on productive capital, policymakers can create a flexible response that is easier to scale back than permanent entitlement programs.
