Can Advanced Technology Create a Utopian Society?

Technology is not destiny, but rather a tool shaped by the choices we make as a society. This concept is central to my book, where I argue that while advanced technology can drastically transform our lives, ultimately it is our collective decisions that will determine whether it leads to a utopian society.

Robots and Future Job Market

One of the biggest concerns regarding advanced technology is its potential impact on employment. Recent trends in the news suggest that robots are taking over jobs at an alarming rate. Many academics predict that between 40 and 50 percent of jobs could be automated within the next 20 years.

While these warnings may sound familiar, they are not without precedent. Similar predictions were made in the 1960s and 1970s, only to be met with the same response: we've heard this before. Despite the discouraging claims, technological advancements have indeed taken over many jobs. However, it is equally true that new jobs have emerged to replace them.

Useless New Jobs

However, the quality of these new jobs is often questionable. A recent poll in the UK, for instance, revealed that up to 37 percent of British workers believe their jobs are meaningless. This sentiment is not isolated to the UK; similar feelings are echoed globally. In my book, I recount the story of a strike by Irish bankers in the 1970s, which lasted six months but ultimately had little impact.

Time and again, we underestimate capitalism's ability to create new jobs that are not meaningful or valuable. These so-called "bullshit jobs" are becoming more prevalent, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. If it is 37 percent today, it could easily rise to 50, 60, or even 100 percent in the future. The issue is not with the technology itself but with our evolving understanding of what constitutes 'work.'

Updating Our Concepts of Work

The path to a utopian society does not solely lie in technological advancement. Instead, it lies in our societal choices and our willingness to adapt our concepts of work. We do not need to wait for technological innovation to bring about positive changes. We can implement universal basic income (UBI) right now.

UBI is a policy where a government provides every citizen with a regular, unconditional sum of money. My book recounts how Richard Nixon almost implemented a modest UBI at the beginning of the 1970s. The plan failed not due to technological limitations, but because of political and ideological reasons. Many bizarre coincidences and competing interests made it impossible for the policy to be enacted.

Given today's economic conditions, we are more than rich enough to implement UBI right now. In fact, we should have done so 40 years ago. By providing financial security, UBI can help create a more equitable society, where individuals can pursue meaningful work rather than being trapped in meaningless jobs.

Conclusion

The potential of advanced technology to transform society is enormous, but its ultimate impact depends on our choices. By rethinking what work means and embracing policies like UBI, we can create a utopian society where technology enhances rather than detracts from our well-being.

Let us work towards a future where technological advancement leads to a better quality of life for all, rather than a future where it leaves us in a pool of meaningless and devalued jobs.