"...automation and basic income is a development that will free us to do lots of incredible things that are more aligned with what it means to be human.” -- Albert Wenger (Partner, Union Square Ventures)

About This Workshop

Experts vary in their assessment of exactly how many jobs may be lost due to the rise of automated technologies in the workforce (robot automation, driverless vehicles, artificial intelligence, etc.), but economists, technologists, and politicians alike agree that, for the most part, the number of jobs at risk of being squeezed out of existence could be in the tens of millions, globally, and that there is a real cause for concern (Automation, Jobs & the Future of Work). Even more alarming, this shift from a predominately human workforce to an automated workforce will happen relatively quickly (over the course of the next 5-10 years), compared to other technological revolutions throughout history.

With AI-powered technology already beginning to replace jobs worldwide (Foxconn replaces '60,000 factory workers with robots' / Robots are already replacing fast-food workers), including blue collar and white collar jobs, the urgency to find a solution to sustain millions of people displaced by technology is being felt by governments around the world and by the very people developing these job-displacing technologies: Silicon Valley is feeling the heat.

Why are some of Silicon Valley's most influential tech entrepreneurs and investors strongly in favor of (and investing money towards) Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a solution to technology innovation unemployment and what does this mean for the rest of us?

Join Tech 2025 for this special workshop with guest presenter, Adam Simpson (Founder & Director of Future Left), that will explore the ups and downs of Universal Basic Income, why the tech industry is embracing it, and how it may change how we work and live in a profound way.

• What is Universal Basic Income and why is it suddenly, this past year, becoming the hot topic at the forefront of discussions in business, economics, and politics?
• Which emerging technologies pose the greatest and most immediate threat to the job market, and which tech companies are driving this innovation full speed ahead?
• Who are the major players in Silicon Valley embracing UBI and what are they doing to move the ball forward?
• What are some of the key debates being had about UBI within the tech industry (pros/cons)? How is the media impacting the discussion?
• How will the discussion of UBI in the coming years impact technology innovation and startups? Where will the opportunities most likely be?
• Which countries have launched UBI experiments and what can we learn from their results? Which countries are launching UBI experiments in 2017? (case studies)
• What is President Trump's position on UBI and how will politics shape the discussion in the next year?

Takeaways

Gain an understanding of what Universal Basic Income is, how it has evolved since it was first proposed in the late 60s, and how the tech industry and governments are debating its merits and potential problems. Through an in-class exercise, explore your position on UBI and how it may impact you, your work, and your family.

Guest Presenter

Adam Simpson, Founder & Director of Future Left.

Originally from the Democratic People’s Republic of Texas, Adam completed his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis before traveling on to Egypt to get his Master’s Degree from the American University in Cairo. He is now based in Washington, DC.

When he’s not grinding his teeth at the day’s news, he currently works at the Democracy Collaborative as a Program Associate for The Next System Project. Previously, he has worked with the Atlantic Council, the American Task Force on Palestine, and Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain.

At Future Left, Adam is the founder and director in addition to the Co-Host of the Future Left Podcast. His professional background revolves around Middle East politics. He is also co-host of the Future Left Podcast. He’s been published in The Daily Beast, The National, The Yemen Times, and others.

You can follow his caffeine addled musings on Twitter, review his credentials onLinkedIn, and contact him directly at adam@futureleft.org.

WORKSHOP SPONSOR

Phi Services works with clients in a variety of contexts to create a culture of collaboration through adopting and extending the use of collaborative technologies. We are committed to people working together, contributing in real time without boundaries. For more information, please contact Phi Services at Span@Phi-Services.com or visit Phi-Services.com.

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