Universal basic income could alleviate the crisis as artificial intelligence leads to job losses

PressEnza

This is according to Andrej Badilla, political scientist, researcher at the Centro de Investigación en
Cultura y Desarrollo of the Universidad Estatal a Distancia and member of the Red por la Renta
Básica Universal de Costa Rica (Network for Universal Basic Income in Costa Rica).
Badilla spoke on the subject during the forum “Universal Basic Income: Challenges and
proposals”, organised by CICDE and the Network for Universal Basic Income in Costa Rica. Also
present were José Rafael Quesada, deputy mayor of Montes de Oca and specialist in Local
Economic Development; and Silvia Lara, former president of the Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social
and former Minister of Work and Social Security.

During the event, which took place on Wednesday 3 May at the Onda UNED networks, Badilla and
Quesada raised the need to guarantee all Costa Ricans (or those who have regular migratory
status) over the age of 18 a monthly income of ₡300,000 without any conditions whatsoever.
This, they said, would mitigate the effects of the job losses that will inevitably result from the
automation of various tasks, estimated to reach 14 million in the next five years.

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