What if Artificial Intelligence actually works?

Our society is working toward a revolution in electronics. Computer programmers and engineers are trying hard to build machines that can simulate the way a human mind thinks. Already, they have managed to isolate some functions, and even improve their facility. But the actual methods which have been programmed in are not quite the same as how we think.

Computers are amazingly fast, so they usually do many trials, in virtual experiments, to see what works, but they can also learn from their experiences, too. Soon, we will have integrated our mechanical robots with this simulated thinking, to create a general purpose simulacrum of a person. This will be a golem, a mechanical slave, designed to do jobs usually reserved for unskilled workers. And when that happens, a lot of people will no longer be employable.

Indeed, it may well be a vast improvement in efficiency and productivity. Robot slaves don't get tired; they can work 20 hour days, and when they get "sick" they can be fixed. Plus, they only have to be trained once to always do their job well, and they don't ever complain about wages and benefits. Robot slaves may actually bring about the abundance economy that has been the dream of economists of all stripes: socialists, christians, capitalists and communists. It can be a world in which everyone has enough of everything they need. But if it happens too suddenly, or if we don't manage it properly and fairly, it can have some miserable repercussions.

I suggest that the robotic workforce be developed on the basis of public investments, like blue chip stocks, paying dividends. And everyone should be encouraged to own enough shares to supply their needs. It will be like the citizens of an oil-rich country sharing in the revenues of exporting oil. But only if you want a personal servant, to help around the house, or as a companion, would anyone need to directly own a humanoid robot. Some societies might even actively discourage that, as reminiscent of human slavery.

What humans need:
1. food & water
2. clothing & shelter
3. natural resources
4. trade / barter / money
5. other people
6. information / education / training
7. aims & goals
8. purpose
9. Truth & Freedom
10. Love & Wisdom

The first few of these needs can readily become the products of robot slave labor, either as a whole or in part, reducing the need for human effort and involvement.

What would you do, if you never had to "work" for a living?

a. go to school, or teach
       - internet publishing & expert reviews
b. fine arts: music, theater, etc.
       - entertainment & participation
c. philosophy, religion, utopian studies
       - how can we improve society?
       - how can we become our best selves?
d. save the ecology & diversity of life
       - restoring damaged ecosystems
       - rescuing endangered species
e. build, fix & use robots & AI systems
       - programming, supervision & upgrades
       - Never teach AI to build better robots
       - Reserve executive decision to humans
f. customer assistance & data records
       - sales, service & reconciliation
       - not concerned for "company profits"
g. scientific research
       - physics, astronomy, electronics
       - medicine, longevity, cure-all
       - ecology, interspecies harmony
h. nursing care for the sick
       - skilled healing by loving touch
i. psychological counseling
       - help us want to participate in society
       - interpersonal relationships
j. entertaining, homemaking specialties
       - culinary arts, piecework handicrafts
k. entomology: helpers or pests
       - pollinate, putrify, parasite, protein
l. redesign & landscape cities
       - metamorphose into arcology styles
m. experimental lifestyles
       - off-the-grid, preindustrial, organic
       - primitive, nomadic
n. farming & food production
       - high intensity industrial agriculture
o. recreational director
       - physical fitness & adventure
p. edible landscaping & park design
       - local, native & edible horticulture
q. wildlife management & conservation
       - rescuing endangered species
r. explore the solar system
       - what can we find & learn out there?
s. clean up the environment
       - trash collection & recycling
       - oceanic plastic reclamation
       - toxic, radioactive, hazmat disposal
t. study & colonize the oceans
       - submerged or floating habitats
       - building artificial reefs & corral pens
u. government: works, justice & assistance
       - coordinate entitlement programs
       - restitution & reconciliation for peace
v. design & facilitate space colonies
       - surface towns, lava tubes, caravans
       - orbital habitats, colony ships
w. design & build space ships
       - probes, pioneers, cargo, colonists
       - on board life support ecosystems
       - technological advances
x. manage travel & migration
       - tourist, opportunist, refugee, spy
y. manage food & resource distribution
       - global needs, trade & transport
       - monitor & plan crop planting
z. build earth-to-orbit infrastructure
       - geostationary elevators (22,236 miles)
       - LEO orbital ring, 300-400 miles up

So there is plenty of work to do, if you are smart  enough to see the big picture, and want to choose something worth the effort to pursue, or simply want a pleasant or purposeful occupation.

What people do better than robots, or what robots don't do well:
1. Aesthetic evaluation
2. Critical thought
3. Non-repetitive dexterity
4. Value judgment
5. Understanding people
6. Making unique items
7. Recognizing non-standard parts
8. Choosing an aim or purpose

How do you keep people motivated and involved in an abundance economy, when AI has co-opted all entry-level jobs, and you need an advanced education to find any meaningful work?

1. Universal Basic Income Guarantee
       - support during education & training
       - begins at age 18, leaving family
       - revocable for criminal activity
       - no additions for having children
2. Incentives for Achievement
       - recognition, bonuses, rewards
3. Potentially Rising Levels of Income
       - promotions & advancement
4. Guidance Counseling
       - educate for interest & aptitude
       - recommend needed occupations
5. Recognition for Society Improvement
       - accolades for breakthrough ideas
6. Opportunities to Escape Stagnation
       - space or marine colonies
       - loans for new enterprises

There will always be some people who choose to be drop-outs, riding the system without any contribution. The basic minimum should not be too comfortable, and the possibility of some disincentives may be necessary.

1. Diminishing levels of support
       - limits on duration and repetition
       - declined for failure to progress
2. Periodic re-evaluation of status:
       - physical or mental disability
       - peculiar contributor, non-economic
3. Migrant worker programs
       - allow for seasonal unemployment
       - provide for supplemental occupation
       - education opportunities
4. Terminated for illegal activities
       - if worse than misdemeanors
       - violence or subversion