We are currently experiencing an unprecedented technological transformation. As artificial intelligence and robotics rapidly evolve, they are not only changing how we work but also redefining the very concept of labor. If humanity successfully distributes automation technology equitably across society in the next decade, it may soon be possible for most people to live without needing to work for survival. This emerging system has been termed the Automated Abundance Economy by futurists, including myself. n nThe core idea is straightforward: once machines can perform most tasks—such as farming, construction, healthcare, and education—the essentials of life can be produced in abundance with minimal human labor. In this scenario, wealth ceases to be a reward for work and instead becomes a shared outcome of automation. n nAt the heart of this shift are two key elements: near-total automation and a Universal Basic Income (UBI). Machines and software are becoming faster, smarter, and more cost-effective, already replacing jobs ranging from assembly lines to fast-food counters. Within the next five years, machines may routinely build homes, grow food, educate children, and care for the elderly. This level of productivity will generate immense wealth, even if humans are no longer directly creating it. n nSo how do we ensure this wealth benefits everyone? That’s where UBI comes in. It is not welfare, but rather a dividend—a share in the value created by automation, distributed to every citizen simply for being part of the system that enabled this economy. n nCritics may label this as socialism, but it is not. The Automated Abundance Economy still supports private property, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Those who invest in automation will see returns. However, the system would also be taxed and regulated so that a portion of that wealth returns to the public through UBI, stock options in AI companies, or similar mechanisms. n nIn this context, UBI and other monetary social programs become a form of economic citizenship, guaranteeing access to food, housing, healthcare, and education without requiring work hours. It challenges the outdated notion that a person’s value is tied to their job. In this future, everyone inherently possesses economic value simply by existing. n nOf course, while work won’t be necessary for survival, many people will still choose to work. But in this new system, motivation will be intrinsic rather than financial. Creative fields, freelance work, writing, and design will thrive. With survival no longer at stake, people can afford to take risks, experiment, or fail without fear. n nSome aspects of this are already happening. Automation is steadily displacing humans from repetitive and manual jobs. The Automated Abundance Economy simply follows this trend to its logical conclusion. When machines can handle everything from cleaning to caregiving, we must ask: what do we want to do with our time if survival no longer consumes most of it? n nThe answer could be a global cultural renaissance—a world where creativity, curiosity, and connection define daily life; a world where everyone has the opportunity to be creators, thinkers, or explorers. Eventually, we may have the time and freedom to fully explore human potential without being trapped in daily routines. n nThe Automated Abundance Economy isn’t limited to the labor market. Futurists like myself advocate for governments to provide or rent humanoid robots to every American household. These robots would handle daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry, saving families hours each week. Over time, owning a personal robot could become as common as owning a smartphone today. n nEven governance could evolve. If machines can enforce safety rules, compliance, and even legal standards, we may not need as much traditional bureaucracy. Public systems could be managed by transparent AI trained in ethical frameworks and shaped by citizens. Some even propose models like liquid democracy, where people vote directly on policies, integrating those preferences into intelligent systems that execute decisions. n nWhat excites me most about the Automated Abundance Economy is that it avoids the worst aspects of both capitalism and socialism. It doesn’t seek to destroy markets or ban private property. Instead, it keeps innovation alive while ensuring no one is left behind. n nHowever, none of this will be easy. If we’re not careful, automation could further concentrate wealth and power. Surveillance, job displacement, and cultural backlash are real risks. Engineers alone cannot shape this future; we’ll need ethicists, artists, policymakers, and ordinary people at the decision-making table. It must be an ethical, inclusive, and democratic process. n nWhether people like it or not, the Automated Abundance Economy is arriving much faster than most expect. Our task is not to fight the future, but to guide it—to shape a society where freedom, personal fulfillment, and human dignity are not privileges for the few but rights for all. This is not just a new type of economy; it is a new way of life that all societies should embrace.
