Building a Future of Prosperity: The Automated Economy

We are currently experiencing a technological revolution that has no historical precedent. The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and robotics is not only changing our profession, but also redefining the purpose of work. Over the next decade, if we can evenly distribute automation technology across society, we will likely face a scenario where most people will not need to work to survive. This concept, which some futurists, including myself, refer to as the Automated Abundance Economy, is based on a straightforward idea: once machines can perform most tasks, such as agriculture, construction, healthcare, and education, the essential necessities of life can be produced in abundance with minimal human labor. In such a world, wealth is no longer a reward for work, but rather a shared outcome of automation. The driving forces behind this shift are near-total automation and the proposed implementation of a universal basic income (UBI). As machines and software continue to improve, becoming faster, more efficient, and affordable, they are already replacing certain jobs on a large scale, from factory work to service industry positions. Within the next five years, machines are likely to take over tasks such as building our homes, growing our food, teaching our children, and caring for the elderly, resulting in immense productivity and wealth creation, even if humans are no longer directly involved in the process. The question then arises: how can we ensure that this wealth benefits everyone? This is where UBI comes into play, serving as a dividend or a share of the value generated by automation, distributed to every citizen simply because they are part of the system that led to this economy. Critics may argue that this is a form of socialism, but it is not. The Automated Abundance Economy still supports private ownership, entrepreneurship, and innovation, and individuals who invest in automation will see returns on their investments. However, the system would be designed to ensure that a portion of the wealth generated is returned to the public in the form of UBI, stock options from AI companies, or similar initiatives. In this context, UBI and other social monetary programs become a form of economic citizenship, guaranteeing access to basic necessities like food, shelter, healthcare, and education, without the need for a traditional job. This concept also challenges the traditional notion that a person's value is tied to their profession. In this future, every individual has inherent economic value simply by being alive. Although work will no longer be a requirement for survival, many people will still choose to work, but their motivation will be driven by personal interests rather than economic necessity. Creative fields, freelance work, writing, and design will thrive, and since survival is no longer a concern, people will be able to take risks, experiment, and fail without fear of consequences. Some aspects of this are already happening, as automation gradually pushes humans out of repetitive and manual jobs. The Automated Abundance Economy is simply the logical conclusion of this trend. When machines can handle everything from cleaning to caregiving, it forces us to ask: what do we want to do with our time, now that survival is no longer the primary concern? The answer could be a global cultural renaissance, where creativity, curiosity, and connection become the defining aspects of daily life, and everyone has the opportunity to be a creator, thinker, or explorer. We may finally have the time and freedom to fully explore human potential, unencumbered by the daily grind. The Automated Abundance Economy is not just about work; it also has implications for governance. Futurists like myself propose that the government provide or lease a humanoid robot to every household, which would handle everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry, saving families hours of time each week. Over time, owning a personal robot could become as normal as owning a smartphone today. Even governance could evolve, with machines potentially enforcing safety, compliance, and legal standards, reducing the need for traditional bureaucracy. Public systems could be managed by transparent AI trained on ethical frameworks and shaped by citizen input. Some even suggest models like liquid democracy, where people vote on policies directly, feeding those preferences into intelligent systems that execute decisions. What I find most appealing about the Automated Abundance Economy is that it avoids the worst aspects of both capitalism and socialism. It does not aim to destroy markets or ban private ownership; instead, it keeps innovation alive while ensuring that no one is left behind. However, this will not be easy to achieve. If we are not careful, automation could concentrate wealth and power even further, leading to risks like surveillance, job displacement, and cultural backlash. Engineers alone cannot shape this future; we will need ethicists, artists, policymakers, and everyday people at the decision-making table. It must be an ethical, inclusive, and democratic process. Whether we like it or not, the Automated Abundance Economy is arriving faster than most people realize. Our task is not to resist the future, but to guide it, shaping a society where freedom, fulfillment, and human dignity are not reserved for the privileged few. This is not just a new economic system; it is a new way of life, one that society should embrace.