In an unexpected endorsement that bridges faith and technology, Pope Francis has renewed his call for universal basic income (UBI) as artificial intelligence and automation threaten to displace millions of workers worldwide. Speaking Friday to members of Popular Movements—a coalition of grassroots organization leaders from five continents—the Pope framed UBI not as mere “compassion” but as “strict justice” in the age of AI-driven job displacement.
This isn’t the first time the pontiff has advocated for guaranteed income. Pope Francis initially announced his support for UBI in 2020, writing to leaders of prominent social movements that “it may be the time to consider a universal basic wage which would acknowledge and dignify the noble, essential tasks you carry out.” He emphasized that such a program “would ensure and concretely achieve the ideal, at once so human and so Christian, of no worker without rights.”
The Pope’s concern centers on society’s most vulnerable members who “have been excluded from the benefits of globalization” and frequently fall through existing labor protection gaps. His continued advocacy adds a powerful moral voice to a debate typically dominated by Silicon Valley tech executives and entrepreneurs.
Universal basic income provides recurring, unconditional payments to citizens, differing from guaranteed basic income which targets specific vulnerable groups. Unlike traditional government assistance programs such as SNAP that restrict spending to essentials like food and healthcare, UBI recipients can allocate funds as they see fit.
The urgency behind UBI discussions stems from sobering employment projections. According to a McKinsey analysis published in July, almost 12 million Americans in jobs with shrinking demand will need to switch careers by 2030. The research identifies AI as a primary driver of this shift, estimating that 30% of hours currently worked in the United States could be automated by 2030.
This convergence of technological disruption and economic inequality has made UBI increasingly popular among tech leaders who recognize AI’s potential to fundamentally reshape labor markets. Pope Francis’s endorsement brings unprecedented religious and moral authority to the movement, potentially expanding support beyond Silicon Valley’s tech elite to broader populations concerned about AI’s societal impact.
Key Quotes
It may be the time to consider a universal basic wage which would acknowledge and dignify the noble, essential tasks you carry out.
Pope Francis wrote this in a 2020 letter to leaders of prominent social movements, marking his initial public endorsement of UBI and establishing his view that guaranteed income recognizes the inherent dignity of all work and workers.
It would ensure and concretely achieve the ideal, at once so human and so Christian, of no worker without rights.
The Pope emphasized this point in his 2020 letter, connecting UBI to fundamental labor rights and framing it as both a humanitarian and religious imperative that transcends political ideology.
Some of the lowest class members of society have been excluded from the benefits of globalization and often slip through the cracks of existing labor protections.
Pope Francis highlighted this concern in his original UBI advocacy, identifying the structural inequalities that leave vulnerable workers unprotected—a problem AI automation threatens to dramatically worsen.
Our Take
The Pope’s intervention in the AI jobs debate is strategically significant. While tech billionaires advocating for UBI can be dismissed as self-serving—potentially easing their conscience while building AI systems that eliminate jobs—a religious leader with 1.3 billion followers carries different weight. Pope Francis effectively transforms UBI from a technocratic policy proposal into a moral imperative, making it harder for governments to ignore. His framing as “strict justice” rather than charity is particularly powerful, suggesting society owes displaced workers compensation, not handouts. However, critical questions remain unaddressed: How would UBI be funded? What amount ensures dignity without discouraging work? Can economies sustain both rapid AI adoption and universal payments? The Pope’s advocacy accelerates these conversations, but implementation challenges persist. His voice ensures AI’s labor impact won’t be treated as merely an economic adjustment but as a fundamental question of human dignity.
Why This Matters
Pope Francis’s advocacy for universal basic income represents a significant moral and political development in the AI jobs debate. While tech CEOs have promoted UBI as a pragmatic solution to AI-driven unemployment, the Pope’s endorsement reframes it as a matter of human dignity and justice, potentially broadening its appeal across ideological and geographic boundaries.
The timing is critical as AI automation accelerates faster than anticipated. McKinsey’s projection that 30% of American work hours could be automated by 2030 suggests an unprecedented labor market disruption within just six years. This isn’t a distant future scenario—it’s an immediate policy challenge requiring solutions now.
The Pope’s involvement also legitimizes concerns about AI’s societal impact beyond economic efficiency arguments. By framing UBI as “strict justice” rather than charity, he challenges policymakers to view worker displacement not as an unfortunate side effect of progress but as a moral crisis demanding systemic solutions. This religious perspective could influence predominantly Catholic countries and communities worldwide, potentially accelerating UBI pilot programs and policy discussions in regions beyond Silicon Valley’s influence.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/pope-francis-universal-basic-income-ai-jobs-automation-2024-9