If OpenaI continues on its trajectory of having the world's best commercially available AI, it could reach a point where its advantage snowballs. Meaning, if OpenAI's programmers have the best AI tools available to them and are able to construct even better AI tools, then it is possible they could exponentially leave their competition in the dust.
In which case OpenAI will make a lot of money. A world-changing, mind-bogglingly huge amount of money. Potentially, someday, maybe even a majority of all the world's money.
It is in this context that Sam Altman's specific UBI proposals should be studied. Of course, Sam Altman himself is very rich. He has a perspective on what is good for global stability which may not fully intersect with class consciousness and economic justice.
For example, one possible future UBI might be implemented as the most global stability possible while giving the lower economic classes as little as possible. A prison planet, essentially. Is this Sam Altman's vision for UBI? Maybe.
Another vision of UBI might be to maximize on redistribution of wealth.
Another vision of UBI is to fully eliminate poverty and then stop there, letting rich people continue to be (almost) as rich as they already are.
Another vision might be to bring everyone up to at least middle class. In which case rich people would be significantly taxed. I'm guessing this is not what Sam Altman wants.
Which kind of UBI our society lands on, or none at all, will be something that should be vigorously and openly debated by ppl of all walks of life. We can't just cede this debate to the 1%.
