Former OpenAI Researcher Says $10K Monthly UBI Feasible With AI-Driven Growth

Former OpenAI researcher Miles Brundage has said that a universal basic income (UBI) of $10,000 per month could become feasible in the coming years due to AI-driven economic growth. Speaking on X, Brundage argued that while $1,000 monthly UBI is currently seen as a realistic policy target, $10,000 per month is within reach as artificial intelligence boosts productivity and wealth creation. Brundage, who previously served as OpenAI’s senior policy advisor and head of the AGI readiness team, resigned in 2024 citing concerns over how AI could disrupt labor markets. He emphasized that while many people still need work to survive, the long-term goal should be to free humanity from the necessity of labor for basic survival—a vision he sees as one of the strongest justifications for advancing artificial general intelligence. He noted that current UBI experiments, often limited to $500 to $1,500 monthly payments for specific populations, are too modest to test the full potential of such programs. A much larger experiment, he suggested, could reveal transformative social and economic effects. Brundage acknowledged that society is not yet ready for a post-work future, both politically and culturally. He warned that a sudden shift without careful planning could lead to stagnation and societal decline, referencing the dystopian portrayal in the film WALL-E. He stressed the need for deeper public debate and thoughtful policy development to ensure that AI-powered abundance benefits everyone. His comments align with broader calls from tech leaders like Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who have supported UBI as a way to manage job displacement and ensure economic stability in an AI-driven world. Altman previously helped fund a major UBI study that provided $1,000 monthly to recipients over three years. As AI continues to automate tasks across industries, particularly in entry-level and routine roles, the conversation around UBI is gaining momentum. Brundage’s perspective highlights a growing belief that AI could generate enough wealth to make highly generous basic income programs not just possible, but necessary for a fair and sustainable future.