Could universal basic income be part of the solution in an AI economy?

The scale of the economic disruption caused by AI has led even conservative politicians to talk about universal basic income. But economists are not convinced, and campaigners think we need to ask deeper questions.

Surprisingly, Merz didn't respond with a flat dismissal — as might be expected from a conservative politician known for his neoliberal, market-friendly views. "I've always been a bit cautious about this issue in recent years," he said, as reported by the news outlet RND .

"However, I'm also well aware that the issue of AI will change our working world so fundamentally that we'll have to give serious thought to many of these issues in the coming years — including the question: Is our productivity not good enough?" What makes this ambiguity notable is that much of Merz's policies since becoming chancellor last year have involved making Germans work more: His government's planned pension reforms would see Germany's retirement age being raised. In July this year, he announced a crackdown on sick leave .